WCCM - Communityhttp://www.wccm.org/category/category/community
Contents about the WCCM Community
enThe Guiding Boardhttp://www.wccm.org/content/guiding-board-1
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="large-notice" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="dropcap">T</span>he Guiding Board is a group of fourteen meditators representing and serving the worldwide Community. It gives direction on matters of broad concern within the community. These include major new initiatives but also the simple integrity of the teaching which is the heart of the community's life and mission. The Board oversees the service provided to the national communities by the International Team and the London International Office, new initiatives and outreach. The Director of the Community is a member of the Board, which also oversees succession and continuity in all the main leadership roles in the Community. The Guiding Board thus provides overall direction to the life and mission of the Community. It formulates a medium term strategy that is updated at its annual meetings after consultation with the national communities. Four members of the Board have particular responsibility for the countries in their global region.</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/LaurenceFreeman.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Laurence Freeman</h5>
<p><span>UK / Trustee</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Laurence Freeman OSB is a monk of Turvey Abbey in the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. He is the Director and spiritual guide of the World Community for Christian Meditation. John Main was his teacher and Fr Laurence assisted him in establishing the first Christian Meditation Centre and the foundations of the community. In 1990, when the World Community was established, Laurence set up the International Centre in London where he now resides and from where he travels and teaches widely.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/RogerLayet.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><span style="font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.538em;">Roger Layet</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">UK / Chair</span></p>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Roger Layet lives near Bristol in S.W. England with his wife Shelagh. They have three children and lots of grandchildren. Shelagh found Christian meditation in 1985 – eventually Roger followed, haltingly. He retired from his strategic planning role in a multi-national packaging company in 2001. He belongs to the Nailsea meditation group, is joint coordinator of Bristol region, and served as WCCM’s UK coordinator from 2005 to 2008. Despite constant failures, he is also faithful to the practice of golf.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/PatriciaPor.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Patricia Por</h5>
<p><span>Malaysia / Vice-Chair</span></p>
<div>Patricia is a medical doctor and Consultant Pathologist , a graduate of Trinity College University of Dublin. Married to Joseph Lip, they have 3 adult children and dote on their latest addition, a grandson. She started meditating in 1995. She has been National Coordinator since 2005, is active in conducting Introductory workshops, distribution of resource material and organization of national and regional events. <span style="line-height: 1.538em;">She leads two groups and co-ordinates activities for the other 16 groups in Peninsular(West) Malaysia while the local Spiritual Director Fr. Paul Cheong, OFMCap oversees 6 new groups in East Malaysia where he has been based since October 2010.</span></div>
<div> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/ClementSauve.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Clem Sauvé</h5>
<p><span>Canada / Trustee</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Clem was born and raised in Eastern Ontario and educated at the Universities of Ottawa (BA) and Toronto (M.A in Economics). He served in the Ontario Public Service at senior executive level. Clem began meditating at a Zen Centre in 1979 after having ‘discovered’ the practice during a trip to South Korea. He first came across Christian meditation in 1982 but did not become engaged until 1984. He spearheaded the organization of the John Main Seminar 1993 in Toronto, which featured William Johnston, S.J., as speaker. He has been variously involved in this annual event since then. He has been a member of the WCCM Guiding Board since 1994 and a WCCM Trustee for the past 8 years. He also served as Administrator of the WCCM International Centre in London (1997-98). Clem is very involved in WCCM affairs and projects regionally, nationally and internationally.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/PaulinePeters.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><span style="font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.538em;">Pauline Peters</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Australia</span></p>
<div class="team-name"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Pauline, married to Graeme, has 2 adult sons and is a proud grandmother. She has been meditating for more than 30 years. Before her retirement, she was a Parish Pastoral Associate. She is a member of the Queensland and Australian Meditation Councils and was invited onto the Guiding Board of WCCM in 1996, and served as Chair for several years beginning in 2004. Pauline leads a meditation group, has led a number of Schools for Christian Meditation and has introduced meditation to parishes, community groups, seminarians and diocesan organizations. Pauline is an Oblate of the Community, served as Director of Liaison for National Communities and now is Director for Church Relations.</span></div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/CatherineCharriere.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Catherine Charrière</h5>
<p><span>Switzerland</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Catherine Charrière: Switzerland Catherine lived 16 years in Italy with her husband Salvatore and their two daughters: Délia and Elena. She started the first WCCM group in Florence and helped build the Italian community. Back in Switzerland, they now live in the small city of Rolle (VD) where she leads a meditation group. Catherine is Director of Liaison for National Communities.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/richard.JPG" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Richard Cogswell</h5>
<p><span>Australia</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Richard has been meditating since 1989. He soon became involved in organising meditation events in Sydney and was the State Co-ordinator and the first National Co-ordinator in 1996. He has taught Christian Meditation in East Timor and to parish, youth and community groups. He has led a meditation group in his central Sydney parish of St James’ Anglican Church since 1989 and encouraged the development of three other groups at the parish including one that coincides with a mission to the homeless and marginalised. Since doing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life over 1987-88 he has been a member of the Christian Life Community and guides a CLC group in his neighbourhood. He is married to Anne who joined him as a meditator in recent years. They have two adult children, James and Claire. Richard is a judge of the NSW District Court sitting in criminal and civil cases in Sydney and on country circuits. He practises Bikram Yoga and enjoys reading, travel and aged red wine. </p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="one-third column">
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/SeanHagan.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.538em;">Sean Hagan</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">USA</span></p>
<div class="team-about">
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Sean lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife (Cecile) and three children (Sophie, Patrick and Tommy). He discovered meditation while living in Japan, but it only became an important part of his life when he discovered the teaching of the WCCM, which allowed him to integrate his Christian faith into the practice. Sean is General Counsel of the International Monetary Fund.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/EugeneBebeau.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Eugene Bebeau</h5>
<p><span>USA</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<div>Gene Bebeau and his wife, Jan, live in Jacksonville, FL and he has worked as a physician in Jacksonville since 1991. Jan and Gene have three sons Johnny, who is married to Caitlin, Philip and Adam. They first learned about Christian meditation at a retreat with Fr Laurence in 1993.They established a meditation group in their parish in 1996. <span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Gene teaches Christian Meditation in parishes, hospitals, at Marywood Retreat Center in Jacksonville, and at seminars and workshops around the U.S. He is the US National Coordinator and joined the Guiding Board in 2012. Gene has, also, done mission work in Haiti through Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/SusanSpence.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Susan Spence</h5>
<p><span>UK / Trustee</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<div>Susan has been involved in charity work for most of her life. After studying languages and working in the travel industry in Europe, Susan lived in Asia for five years in Japan and the Philippines where she had her first daughter. Her second daughter was born in Belgium after which she returned to the UK.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>For the last 29 years she has helped run a meditation group in Sevenoaks Kent and is actively involved in her own parish. After returning to university as a mature student, completing a degree in Culture and Belief Systems, she joined the WCCM in London as a volunteer and has worked there for 19 years. Susan is an oblate, and a WCCM trustee.</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="one-third column"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/JosePype.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Jose Pype</h5>
<p><span>Belgium</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>José was born in 1955 near Ypres in Belgium Flanders and lives now with his wife Martine in De Klinge, near Antwerp. He works in the sales and marketing department of a pharmaceutical company. He discovered Christian meditation in 1991 and started a meditation group in Waasmunster in 1996. He became national coordinator after the 2002 JMS seminar. His mentor was Agnes D’Hooghe who started the first Christian meditation center in Belgium. Every step in engagement was also a step in a growing responsibility and a greater commitment to the practice. Belgium now has about 55 meditation groups.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/jose_maria.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>José María Chaher</h5>
<p><span>Argentina</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<div><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">José María is the proud father of Inés (19), Juan and Santiago (twins, 15) and José (13). He was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, since a very early age he has been traveling passionately across Latin America, Europe and the United States. He has been a corporate executive for the last 24 years, serving in various fields and functions of management throughout his career including several years as general manager. In 2011 he transitioned from the general management of the Argentina subsidiary of the multi-national company he works for to the Human Resources Directorship for Latin America, thus focusing entirely in the human dimension of business. He has been meditating for over 15 years now. Since 2006 he is involved with WCCM Argentina. He resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, still travels extensively and enjoys to spend his leisure time running, skiing, doing outdoor activities and playing music with his children.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"> </div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/and.JPG" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Andrzej Ziolkowsky</h5>
<p><span>Poland</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Andrzej lives in Poland. During his professional career he has lived in Germany, 8 years, and Singapore, 20 years, working as a General Manager for a French Multinational Company. He learned to meditate in Singapore in 2002. He is currently the National Coordinator for Poland and the web master for the Polish WCCM site. He joined the Guiding Board in 2013. He is a passionate traveller and a photographer. Andrzej has two grown up children.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/leogb.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /></p><div class="team-name">
<h5>Leonardo Corrêa</h5>
<p><span>Brazil</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Leonardo lives in Brazil and spent 2011 living in Meditatio House, in London. He became WCCM Oblate in 2012. He is a journalist and started to work for the Community as Director of Communications, also in 2012. He joined the Guiding Board in 2014 as Global Regional Coordinator for South America.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Fri, 11 Jul 2014 02:25:21 +0000leonardo_correa1402 at http://www.wccm.orghttp://www.wccm.org/content/guiding-board-1#comments29.535230 18.984375Meditatio Radiohttp://www.wccm.org/meditatioradio
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="large-notice" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/images/logo_radio05.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 70px;" /></div>
<div class="large-notice" style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><span class="dropcap">M</span>editatio Radio</strong> brings you the enriching experience of the community created by meditation - community of faith composed of people of different beliefs. It offers 24 hours of teaching by teachers, artists and friends of the community particularly John Main OSB and Laurence Freeman OSB. There is content from retreats and conferences and from the varied events of Meditatio Outreach in fields such as medicine and mental health, business and finance, children and students and interfaith encounters. There are talks from the WCCM School of Meditation, music, news form the global community - all regualrly refreshed. Below you can see the Meditatio Radio schedule. The schedule is in UK time. To convert to your timezone go <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html" target="_blank">here</a><br /><br /><a href="http://tiny.cc/meditatio_radio" target="_blank">Weekly Schedule</a><br /><br /></div>
<div class="large-notice" style="text-align: justify;">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.4/jquery.min.js"></script><p> <audio src="http://wccm.out.airtime.pro:8000/wccm_a" preload="auto" autoplay="" controls=""></audio></p>
<div id="jp_playlist_1" class="jp-playlist"></div>
<p> </p>
<iframe src="/airtime-widgets/airtime-iframe.html" width="100%" height="800px" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scroll:="" yes="" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha">
<img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/meditation.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Meditation Session</h5>
<p><span>Length: 39 minutes</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Meditation session with introduction by Fr. John Main, from the CD Time Peace.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/john.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>John Main Talks</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 16-20min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
The basic teaching of Christian Meditation from the talks by John Main OSB.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/laurence.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Laurence Talks</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 1h</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Talks given by Fr. Laurence around the world.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/General_Images/healing3.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Healing from teh Centre</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 1h</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Talks and interviews on Health, Healing and Meditation
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="one-third column"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/school.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>The School of Meditation</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 20-30min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
The basic teaching of Christian Meditation, resources to help leaders to share the gift of meditation
</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/children_can.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Children Can Meditate</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 10 min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Experienced teachers give tips and advices to the mission of take mediation to children and young people.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/goodlifeF.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>The Good Life</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 10min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Meditators around the world sharing why meditate is bringing fulfilment and balance for their lives.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="one-third column"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/artsF.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Contemplating Arts</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 11-15min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Any form of art expression from a contemplative point of view
</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/business.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>The Business of the Spirit</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 25-30min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Experienced business people share the importance of meditation in the workplace
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/podcast2.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Podcast </h5>
<p><span>Average Length: 16-18min</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Monthly update with news and interviews from WCCM people.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="one-third column"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/music.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Music</h5>
<p><span>Average Length: flexible</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
Songs from musicians that are part of WCCM or friends of our Community
</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/MeditatioRadio/contact.jpg" /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Contact Us</h5>
<p><span>Send comments and suggestions to:</span>
</p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>
<strong><a href="mailto:leonardo@wccm.org">leonardo@wccm.org</a></strong>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Fri, 23 May 2014 02:44:13 +0000leonardo_correa1388 at http://www.wccm.orghttp://www.wccm.org/meditatioradio#comments29.535230 18.984375The Guiding Boardhttp://www.wccm.org/content/guiding-board-0
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="large-notice" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="dropcap">T</span>he Guiding Board is a group of fourteen meditators representing and serving the worldwide Community. It gives direction on matters of broad concern within the community. These include major new initiatives but also the simple integrity of the teaching which is the heart of the community's life and mission. The Board oversees the service provided to the national communities by the International Team and the London International Office, new initiatives and outreach. The Director of the Community is a member of the Board, which also oversees succession and continuity in all the main leadership roles in the Community. The Guiding Board thus provides overall direction to the life and mission of the Community. It formulates a medium term strategy that is updated at its annual meetings after consultation with the national communities. Four members of the Board have particular responsibility for the countries in their global region.</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/LaurenceFreeman.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Laurence Freeman</h5>
<p><span>UK / Trustee</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Laurence Freeman OSB is a monk of Turvey Abbey in the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. He is the Director and spiritual guide of the World Community for Christian Meditation. John Main was his teacher and Fr Laurence assisted him in establishing the first Christian Meditation Centre and the foundations of the community. In 1990, when the World Community was established, Laurence set up the International Centre in London where he now resides and from where he travels and teaches widely.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/RogerLayet.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><span style="font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.538em;">Roger Layet</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">UK / Chair</span></p>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Roger Layet lives near Bristol in S.W. England with his wife Shelagh. They have three children and lots of grandchildren. Shelagh found Christian meditation in 1985 – eventually Roger followed, haltingly. He retired from his strategic planning role in a multi-national packaging company in 2001. He belongs to the Nailsea meditation group, is joint coordinator of Bristol region, and served as WCCM’s UK coordinator from 2005 to 2008. Despite constant failures, he is also faithful to the practice of golf.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/PatriciaPor.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Patricia Por</h5>
<p><span>Malaysia / Vice-Chair</span></p>
<div>Patricia is a medical doctor and Consultant Pathologist , a graduate of Trinity College University of Dublin. Married to Joseph Lip, they have 3 adult children and dote on their latest addition, a grandson. She started meditating in 1995. She has been National Coordinator since 2005, is active in conducting Introductory workshops, distribution of resource material and organization of national and regional events. <span style="line-height: 1.538em;">She leads two groups and co-ordinates activities for the other 16 groups in Peninsular(West) Malaysia while the local Spiritual Director Fr. Paul Cheong, OFMCap oversees 6 new groups in East Malaysia where he has been based since October 2010.</span></div>
<div> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/ClementSauve.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Clem Sauvé</h5>
<p><span>Canada / Trustee</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Clem was born and raised in Eastern Ontario and educated at the Universities of Ottawa (BA) and Toronto (M.A in Economics). He served in the Ontario Public Service at senior executive level. Clem began meditating at a Zen Centre in 1979 after having ‘discovered’ the practice during a trip to South Korea. He first came across Christian meditation in 1982 but did not become engaged until 1984. He spearheaded the organization of the John Main Seminar 1993 in Toronto, which featured William Johnston, S.J., as speaker. He has been variously involved in this annual event since then. He has been a member of the WCCM Guiding Board since 1994 and a WCCM Trustee for the past 8 years. He also served as Administrator of the WCCM International Centre in London (1997-98). Clem is very involved in WCCM affairs and projects regionally, nationally and internationally.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/PaulinePeters.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><span style="font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.538em;">Pauline Peters</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Australia</span></p>
<div class="team-name"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Pauline, married to Graeme, has 2 adult sons and is a proud grandmother. She has been meditating for more than 30 years. Before her retirement, she was a Parish Pastoral Associate. She is a member of the Queensland and Australian Meditation Councils and was invited onto the Guiding Board of WCCM in 1996, and served as Chair for several years beginning in 2004. Pauline leads a meditation group, has led a number of Schools for Christian Meditation and has introduced meditation to parishes, community groups, seminarians and diocesan organizations. Pauline is an Oblate of the Community, served as Director of Liaison for National Communities and now is Director for Church Relations.</span></div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/CatherineCharriere.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Catherine Charrière</h5>
<p><span>Switzerland</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Catherine Charrière: Switzerland Catherine lived 16 years in Italy with her husband Salvatore and their two daughters: Délia and Elena. She started the first WCCM group in Florence and helped build the Italian community. Back in Switzerland, they now live in the small city of Rolle (VD) where she leads a meditation group. Catherine is Director of Liaison for National Communities.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/KimNataraja.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Kim Nataraja</h5>
<p><span>UK</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Kim is a retired College Lecturer and Head of Department in Modern Languages. She has been a contemplative since her youth and joined The World Community for Christian Meditation in 1993. In 1998 she became a Benedictine Oblate to the Community and since 1999 she has been the Director of the International School. In 2003 she organized and led with her husband Shankar the first ‘The Roots of Christian Mysticism Course’ at the London Christian Meditation Centre, exploring the contemplative experience in Christianity from Scripture to the present Day. </p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/SeanHagan.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.538em;">Sean Hagan</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">USA</span></p>
<div class="team-about">
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Sean lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife (Cecile) and three children (Sophie, Patrick and Tommy). He discovered meditation while living in Japan, but it only became an important part of his life when he discovered the teaching of the WCCM, which allowed him to integrate his Christian faith into the practice. Sean is General Counsel of the International Monetary Fund.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/EugeneBebeau.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Eugene Bebeau</h5>
<p><span>USA</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<div>Gene Bebeau and his wife, Jan, live in Jacksonville, FL and he has worked as a physician in Jacksonville since 1991. Jan and Gene have three sons Johnny, who is married to Caitlin, Philip and Adam. They first learned about Christian meditation at a retreat with Fr Laurence in 1993.They established a meditation group in their parish in 1996. <span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Gene teaches Christian Meditation in parishes, hospitals, at Marywood Retreat Center in Jacksonville, and at seminars and workshops around the U.S. He is the US National Coordinator and joined the Guiding Board in 2012. Gene has, also, done mission work in Haiti through Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/SusanSpence.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Susan Spence</h5>
<p><span>UK / Trustee</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<div>Susan has been involved in charity work for most of her life. After studying languages and working in the travel industry in Europe, Susan lived in Asia for five years in Japan and the Philippines where she had her first daughter. Her second daughter was born in Belgium after which she returned to the UK.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>For the last 29 years she has helped run a meditation group in Sevenoaks Kent and is actively involved in her own parish. After returning to university as a mature student, completing a degree in Culture and Belief Systems, she joined the WCCM in London as a volunteer and has worked there for 19 years. Susan is an oblate, and a WCCM trustee.</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="one-third column"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/JosePype.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Jose Pype</h5>
<p><span>Belgium</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>José was born in 1955 near Ypres in Belgium Flanders and lives now with his wife Martine in De Klinge, near Antwerp. He works in the sales and marketing department of a pharmaceutical company. He discovered Christian meditation in 1991 and started a meditation group in Waasmunster in 1996. He became national coordinator after the 2002 JMS seminar. His mentor was Agnes D’Hooghe who started the first Christian meditation center in Belgium. Every step in engagement was also a step in a growing responsibility and a greater commitment to the practice. Belgium now has about 55 meditation groups.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column omega"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/CarlaMorgan.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Claudia Morgan</h5>
<p><span>USA</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<div>Claudia serves on the board of WCCM USA, is a regional coordinator, an Oblate, and the leader of two groups. In addition to WCCM activities, she devotes her time to a national grass-roots lobby committed to creating the political will to end hunger and the worst aspects of poverty, and to other social justice organizations.</div>
<div><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">She believes deeply that meditation practice and social activism are necessarily complementary. Before her full-time commitment to nonprofit service, she practiced corporate law for 20 years in Houston. Currently she lives with her husband in New York City. She enjoys her family, travel, and theater.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"> </div>
</div>
<div class="container">
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column alpha"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/Andrzej%20ziolkowski2.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" /><br /><div class="team-name">
<h5>Andrzej Ziolkowsky</h5>
<p><span>Poland</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Andrzej lives in Poland. During his professional career he has lived in Germany, 8 years, and Singapore, 20 years, working as a General Manager for a French Multinational Company. He learned to meditate in Singapore in 2002. He is currently the National Coordinator for Poland and the web master for the Polish WCCM site. He joined the Guiding Board in 2013. He is a passionate traveller and a photographer. Andrzej has two grown up children.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- About --><div class="one-third column">
<div class="clear"> </div>
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/GuidingBoard/leo_GB.jpg" /><br /></p><div class="team-name">
<h5>Leonardo Corrêa</h5>
<p><span>Brazil</span></p></div>
<div class="team-about">
<p>Leonardo lives in Brazil and spent 2011 living in Meditatio House, in London. He became WCCM Oblate in 2012. He is a journalist and started to work for the Community as Director of Communications, also in 2012. He joined the Guiding Board in 2014 as Global Regional Coordinator for South America.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Mon, 13 May 2013 16:58:36 +0000leonardo_correa1262 at http://www.wccm.orghttp://www.wccm.org/content/guiding-board-0#comments29.535230 18.984375Entering into Silent Prayer Retreat - Jean Vanier and Laurence Freemanhttp://www.wccm.org/content/entering-silent-prayer-retreat-jean-vanier-and-laurence-freeman
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/Retreats/JeanVanier2013/bannerFinal.jpg" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; float: left; width: 320px; height: 228px;" /><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#008000;"><strong>Entering into Silent Prayer</strong></span></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:12px;">22nd May 2013 to 26th May 2013</span></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#8b4513;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:12px;">with Jean Vanier &amp; Laurence Freeman OSB</span></em></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:12px;">Silence can be a silence of anguish; then it becomes a cry.<br />The cry that comes from anguish can bring an encounter,<br />and from this encounter silence and inner celebration can arise.</span></em></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/content/entering-silent-prayer-talks-schedule" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><b>LIVE WEBCAST SCHEDULE</b></span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/Retreats/JeanVanier2013/entering%20into%20silent%20prayer.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="color:#b22222;">Download the Flyer</span></strong></span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wccm.org/wccm_webcast/player_2013.htm"><span style="color:#008000;"><font size="3"><b>Webcast Player</b></font></span></a></p>
<p><!--break--></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/category/retreats">Retreats</a></div></div></div>Thu, 09 May 2013 14:34:00 +0000admin1254 at http://www.wccm.orgRetreat with Jean Vanier & Laurence Freeman in Francehttp://www.wccm.org/content/retreat-jean-vanier-laurence-freeman-france
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p class="p1"><img alt="" src="https://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/jeanv2.jpg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 190px; height: 126px;" />Silence can be a silence of anguish; then it becomes a cry. The cry that comes from anguish can bring an encounter, and from this encounter silence and inner celebration can arise.<br />Entering Into Silent Prayer<br />Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 May 2013<br />La Ferme Trosly – 23 Rue D’Orleans – 60350 Trosly-Breuil – France<br />Tel – +33 44 85 34 70 Fax - +33 44 85 34 71 <a href="mailto:accueil@lafermedetrosly.com">accueil@lafermedetrosly.com</a></p>
<p class="p2">More information <a href="http://www.wccm.org/entering.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:59:00 +0000leonardo_correa1199 at http://www.wccm.orgBere Island Young Meditators' Easter Retreathttp://www.wccm.org/content/bere-island-young-meditators-easter-retreat
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/BereIslandRetreats/banner.jpg" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; float: left; width: 300px; height: 225px;" /><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#008000;"><strong>Bere Island, Country Cork, Ireland</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#8b4513;"><strong><em><span style="font-size:12px;">Sat 23rd March 2013 to Sun 31st March 2013</span></em></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12px;">The WCCM Young Meditators’ Group brings people together from many backgrounds, nationalities and spiritual traditions, who are under the age of 45 and share a passion for Christian meditation.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Bere Island Easter Retreat is designed for young people who havebeen meditating for years and those who may have had an occasional experience but would like an opportunity to deepen their practice. The week we spend together, led by Father Laurence Freeman OSB, is one of community, friendship, spiritual exploration and relaxation withina beautiful and tranquil Irish coastal setting.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/BereIslandRetreats/Bere%20Island%20-%20YM%20Retreat%202013.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="color:#b22222;">Download the Flyer</span></strong></span></a></p>
<p><!--break--></p>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:28:00 +0000admin1109 at http://www.wccm.orgOswiecim/Auschwitz, Poland - WCCM National Coordinators from Central and Eastern Europehttp://www.wccm.org/content/oswiecimauschwitz-poland-wccm-national-coordinators-central-and-eastern-europe
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/NatCoordMeetings/Poland2011/pageImage.jpg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px 7px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; width: 250px; height: 188px; " /></p>
<p><strong>On 14-16.10.2011 WCCM national coordinators from Central and Eastern Europe</strong> met in Oswiecim/Auschwitz in Poland. The meeting chaired by Fr Laurence Freeman was attended by representatives of the German, Ukrainian, Czech and Polish coordinators, written reports were submitted by Latvia and Lithuania. At the meeting was also present Kim Nataraja (with her husband Shankar), the Director of the School of Meditation.</p>
<p><!--break--></p>
<p>Two days of meditation and intensive discussions and presentations were filled to the brim. Father Freeman gave the worldwide overview of the WCCm situation and reviewed major WCCM projects in the frame of the Meditatio program. Kim presented the School and Children mediation projects. In lengthy discussions participants shared their local conditions which either supported or hindered the promotion of the Christian meditation. They agreed on ways of mutual support in this work, such as exchanging experiences, strengthening the contacts between the coordinators and the meditators in our region by exchanging invitations and promoting each other national events. At the end each of the coordinators presented her/his short and long term goals they felt were importand for their communities.</p>
<p>Led by Fr. Manfred Desleaers from The Center for Dialogue and Prayer in Auschwitz through the compounds of the concentration camp we commemorated in a meditative and prayerful Way of the Cross the victims of the Nazi genocide.</p>
<p>16/10/2011 was a day largely devoted to Fr. Freeman’s meeting with the Polish Community. The meeting, which attracted over one hundred participants from all over the country, began with a Holy Mass led by Father Jan Pawel Konobrodzki OSB of the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec. During the Mass we witnessed an oblation ceremony of Maria and Albert from Kiev/Ukraine and and Maksymilian from Cieszyn/Poland. Each of them shared her/his journey of faith and told us how they arrived at the decision to adopt the Rule of St. Benedict and the practice of Christian meditation as pillars of their spiritual life.</p>
<p>After the dinner the meeting commenced with Fr. Manfred (a German priest who for the last 20 years has been living in Oswiecim and relentlessly working towards rebuilding the trust, forgiveness and piece among all the peoples, especially those whose loved ones died in the camp) presented the work of the Centre. He said that silence and stillness were the only answers in front of the most painful questions of that place.</p>
<p>Finally Fr. Freeman gave a talk on the need of contemplative dimension in faith in the modern world and the role of meditation in supporting the growth of faith. In the wake of the talk a lively Q&amp;A developed which lasted far into the late afternoon hours. The meeting ended with a 30 minutes meditation. The attached photos attempt to reflect the spirit and atmosphere of these three extraordinary days.</p>
<ul><li><span style="font-size:14px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.324984827518465.100230.276990878984527&amp;type=1" target="_blank"><span style="color:#008000;"><strong>See the pictures gallery on our FB Page</strong></span></a></span></li>
</ul><p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:22:00 +0000admin638 at http://www.wccm.orgMeditatio House Communityhttp://www.wccm.org/content/meditatio-house-community
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccmtest.org/sites/default/files/users/181839_485197058163907_1241659242_n.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" /></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">M</span>editatio House in London</strong>, also Fr Laurence's base, is home to a small residential and larger non-residential network of younger meditators.<br /><br /><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Residents can come to live at the centre for shorter or longer periods. Some come as interns while others come to do their 'Oblate Year" (link to Oblates) novitiate before returning home with a deeper practice of meditation and more to share with others in their national communities.</span></p>
<p>The house is also the coordinating centre for <a href="http://wccmmeditatio.org/meditatio-house" target="_blank"><strong>Meditatio</strong></a>, the Community's outreach bringing the fruits of meditation more widely into the world.</p>
<p>The wider network of younger meditators meets regularly at the house, for meditation, yoga and dinner together and for monthly day retreats.</p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oSh8XrI6kWk" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/Meditatio_House/At%20Meditatio.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#008000;"><strong>Read the article by Kath Huston: My Time at Meditatio</strong></span></span></a></li>
</ul><p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:57:00 +0000admin588 at http://www.wccm.orghttp://www.wccm.org/content/meditatio-house-community#commentsWhat do the Two Doves mean?http://www.wccm.org/content/what-do-two-doves-mean
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/General_Images/Doves08.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 9px; padding-right: 9px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 9px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); width: 117px; height: 117px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; float: left; " /></p>
<p><strong>In the Logo of the World Community for Christian Meditation</strong> the evocative image of a pair of doves perched on the rim of a chalice-shaped dish, as adopted by the World Community for its logo, is heir to an ancient pictorial and symbolic tradition, that was disseminated through the Byzantine and. early-Christian channels via bas-relief, pottery, textile and mosaic. </p>
<p>There are surviving representations of this theme form Greek as well as Roman times, but its ultimate origin is probably Phoenician, connected with the cult and worship of Astarte. The famous mosaic of four drinking doves form the Emperor Hadrian's Villa, built after 124 at Tivoli, near Rome, was probably the model for the less sophisticated representation found in one of the early Christian churches of Ravenna, the tomb of Galla Placidia which served as inspiration for the logo. </p>
<p>The ultimate origin of the image is one by Sosus of Pergamum made at Delos in the last centuries before the birth of Christ. It was much acclaimed, celebrated and copied throughout the ancient world. The Roman historian, Pliny, admired and wrote about it. A hellenistic representation, this mosaic displays extraordinary skill and technical ability in its execution and the pictorial representation of a variety of difficult surfaces and textures, such as polished metal with diffused highlights and hard, detailed contours, soft feathers and a slab of marble on which the vessel stands. It is achieved by intricate laying of minute glass and stone tesserae that denies the medium. There is an excellent copy of this work in the Palatine Museum, Rome. </p>
<p>The iconographic conjunction of water aIld doves, represents a complex, sacred, and very ancient pre- Christian funerary symbolic tradition that has been embraced by, and survived within the Christian Church, with representations of the type found in the decorative programmes of baptisteries and martyria.</p>
<p><br />The symbolism here is as profound as it is archetypal. It is a trans-cultural metaphor for the universally sacred, that can be apprehended not through empirical information, but through personal experience. Symbols by nature are energy releasing and directing signs, sacraments of an inner reality -one we all share. A poetic reading, therefore is appropriate to the character and function of a symbol, which is of no value as a fact, but only as an awakener of the soul. </p>
<p>An emblem of universal matrix, water always illustrates the mystical symbolism of the cycle of death- birth -regeneration; i.e. Purification. Informed by its ritual function, this archetype, always denotes fecundity and resurrection. Traditionally, it is the female principle in nature, connected to the phases of the moon and life-giving waters. In funerary symbolism it served to reflect hope of immortality. <strong><sup>i</sup></strong></p>
<p>In Roman funerary monuments the deceased is often shown as a woman, identified with Aphrodite Urania (heavenly, of the spirit), as she is represented upon the sarcophagus, with her special bird, the dove. By thus identifying with the archetype of life in perpetual renewal, the deceased is ensuring his/her resurrection. Therefore, one can say that the drinking doves of the logo are iconographically akin to the veneration of the mother goddess of pre-Christian religions, having survived within Christianity via Greek and Roman pictorial representations and the writings of the neo-Platonists.</p>
<p><br /><em>'…. for it is she we know to be planted deep in our fabric, she it is by whom men<br /> are impelled to have thoughts of love and perform works of peace...'</em><br />(Lucretius)</p>
<p>and again<br /><br /><em>'You alone can give men the serene benefits of peace'</em><br />(Lucretius)<br /><br /> This is Aphrodite, the sacred feminine principle (one of her sacred shrines was at Delos, decorated by drinking doves of Sosus') not he debased vulgarised Venus of erotic love most of us are familiar with.</p>
<p>'Such numinous symbols of our inheritance of myth as these', Joseph Campbell says, 'become integrated within the Christian Church -images of transformation opening outward to combine with their non- Christian, pagan, oriental counterparts and thereby become transformed into non-sectarian, psychologically significant symbols, revealing a sacred timeless event going on within man/woman always' <sup><strong>ii</strong></sup> Carl Jung, in his Symbols of Transformation credits the Logos for filling our understanding and desires with meaning<br />'.....makes it drunken as if with nectar'. Nectar, in classical literature, is the drink of fertility and immortality. The soul thus fructified is called the Heavenly Aphrodite (Urania). Yet, it knows the pangs of birth,…..as earthly Aphrodite (Pandemos). It is not without reason that the dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit <strong><sup>iii</sup></strong>.</p>
<p>In popular mythology, winged creatures represent spiritual messengers or simply, the Spirit itself, as in angels, the myth of Eros and Psyche (love and the human spirit). The dove of love and peace is also the symbol of the soul in India. In China, it stood for marital fidelity and long life. Usually represented in pairs - male and female - they appear in the headdress of the goddess of fertility. In medieval alchemy the white dove represents the whitening of the primal matter as it is turned into the philosopher's stone - the transformation of the black raven into the white dove. </p>
<p>In Christian art, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are often seen as doves, perching on a tree or drinking the waters of Eternal life. Thus, we see them in our logo -a pair of doves -one drinking, the other happily standing by -on the rim of a chalice-shaped vessel filled with water. The chalice is a reference to Christ's sacrifice -as in the Eucharist, and, by the same token, offering us hope of eternal life, an assurance of the Resurrection.</p>
<p>This simple and beautiful representation - the logo of The World Community for Christian Meditation - enfolds a meaning that is both universal and most profoundly Christian - one held sacred through the ages, offering a subjective glimpse into what ultimately is a numinous, transpersonal symbol. A metaphor pointing to a transcendental reality.</p>
<p><strong>Polly Schofield<br /> Montreal Oblate and WCCM Archivist</strong></p>
<p>i Eliade, Mircea. Images and Symbols. Princeton, 1991, p.131-132<br />ii Campbell, Joseph. Creative Mythology -The Masks of God. Penguin 1968, p.453<br />iii Jung, C. G. Symbols of Transformation. Bollinger, 1976, p.138<br /> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:19:00 +0000admin420 at http://www.wccm.orgSouth European National Coordinators meeting (Geneva)http://www.wccm.org/content/south-european-national-coordinators-meeting-geneva
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The third of the National Co-ordinators' regional meetings was for the S. European region. It was hosted by the Swiss community in Geneva and brought together coordinators and members of their national councils from Switzerland, italy, Spain, Portugal and France</p>
<p>The notes of the meetings and photos will be posted later.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:13:00 +0000admin361 at http://www.wccm.orgNorth European National Coordinators Meeting (London)http://www.wccm.org/content/north-european-national-coordinators-meeting-london
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/NatCoordMeetings/IMG_5127.jpeg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; width: 290px; height: 194px; " /><strong><span style="font-size:16px;">T</span>he second</strong> of the National Co-ordinators' regional meetings was for the N. European region. It was hosted in London March 11-13 and representatives came from the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Norway and Denmark. The South African Coordinator also joined this regional meeting.</p>
<p>Click <strong><a href="/sites/default/files/users/NatCoordMeetings/N%20european%20meeting%20notes.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> </strong>to download the Meeting Notes</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:13:00 +0000admin360 at http://www.wccm.org2011 Meetings of National Coordinatorshttp://www.wccm.org/content/2011-meetings-national-coordinators
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>In 2011, the 20th anniversary of the community, a series of global-regional meetings of National Coordinators will take place.</strong></span></p>
<p>The meetings give the opportunity for coordinators and their leadership teams to share their work in the community, initiatives and challenges, discuss translations and other aspects of the Community's life such as meditation with children, inter-faith dialogue, bringing meditation to the poor and marginalised.</p>
<p><strong>The National Co-ordinators' meetings are scheduled</strong>:</p>
<ul><li>March 11-13, N.Europe meeting London; </li>
<li>April 1-3 Central and S Europe meeting Geneva</li>
<li>May 15-16 Latin American Meeting, Caracas </li>
<li>October 14-16 East European Meeting, Poland </li>
<li>October 28-30 N and Central America and Caribbean Meeting,Jacksonville Florida</li>
<li>November Latin American Meeting, Brazil</li>
</ul><p>For further information on Christian Meditation in your country or region visit the world map and click for a link to your national coordinator, or contact the International Office in London which supports meditators in countries that do not yet have a national community: <a href="mailto:welcome@wccm.org">welcome@wccm.org</a> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:22:00 +0000admin359 at http://www.wccm.orgMeeting of WCCM Asian National Coordinatorshttp://www.wccm.org/content/meeting-wccm-asian-national-coordinators
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/NC_Conference_Malaysia/IMG_4668.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; width: 250px; height: 167px; " />In 2011, the 20th anniversary of the community, a series of global-regional meetings of National Coordinators will take place. The first of these took place last week in Kuala Lumpur with 28 representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Philippines and Hong Kong.</p>
<p>The meetings give the opportunity for coordinators and their leadership teams to share their work in the community, initiatives and challenges, discuss translations and other aspects of the Community's life such as meditation with children, inter-faith dialogue, bringing meditation to the poor and marginalised.</p>
<p>The other meetings are:March 11-13, N.Europe meeting London; April 1-3 Central and S Europe meeting Geneva;May 15-16 Latin American Meeting, Caracas; October 14-16 East European Meeting, Poland; October 28-30 N and Central America and Caribbean Meeting,Jacksonville Florida, November Latin American Meeting, Brazil.</p>
<p>For further information on Christian Meditation in your country or region visit the world map and click for a link to your national coordinator, or contact the International Office in London which supports meditators in countries that do not yet have a national community: <a href="mailto:welcome@wccm.org">welcome@wccm.org</a></p>
<p>Click <a href="/sites/default/files/users/NatCoordMeetings/WCCM_Asia_Pacific_Regional_Coordinators_Meeting.doc.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>HERE</strong></a> to download the Meeting Notes</p>
<p>See the Meeting Photo Gallery <strong><a href="/nc_conference_malaysia">HERE</a></strong></p>
<p>Pauline Peters<br />International Coordinator</p>
<p><like></like></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:32:00 +0000admin280 at http://www.wccm.orgMeditatiohttp://www.wccm.org/content/meditatio
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="masthead">
<div id="logo"><img alt="meditatio" height="94" src="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/images1/logoblue.gif" width="328" /><img alt="wccm&lt;br /&gt;&#10;outreach" height="48" src="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/images1/outreach-wccm.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div id="navbar">
<div id="navbar_inner">
<div id="navbar_inner2">
<ul id="hznavbar"><li><a href="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/#Background" target="_self">Background</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/#Events" target="_self">Events</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/#Meditatio" target="_self">Meditatio London</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/#Invitation" target="_self">Invitation to Participate</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/#Root" target="_self">Root &amp; Branch Committee</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wccm.org/">WCCM</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="c1">
<div class="content">
<p align="left" class="style21">Meditation is a universal wisdom of the human family. It is found at the heart of all the great religious families. <span class="style12">meditatio</span> is the outreach of a contemplative community that brings the fruits of meditation to the aid of the many problems and crises of our time.</p>
<p align="left"><span class="style1"><span class="style6"><span class="style11"><img alt="img&lt;br /&gt;&#10;wheel" height="171" src="http://www.wccmmeditatio.org/images1/wheelwebcut.jpg" width="161" /></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left"> </p>
<p><span class="style27">Meditation is a way of growth because what we are growing into is life itself.</span></p>
<p><span class="style26">John Main OSB</span></p>
<p><span class="style10"> </span></p>
</div>
</div>
<h1><span class="style13"><a id="Background" name="Background"></a>BACKGROUND</span></h1>
<p class="style17">In 2011 this community celebrates its twentieth birthday. Our roots lie in the life and teaching of the Benedictine monk John Main and in the western monastic wisdom that formed him. The roots in the tradition feed the branches of the community that have spread to bring the benefits of this simple practice to many – of all backgrounds and stages of life.</p>
<p>The community emphasises a regular twice-daily practice of meditation. The simplicity of this discipline is its contribution to the needs of our time.</p>
<p class="style17">
Founded in 1991 <strong>The World Community for Christian Meditation</strong> is now present in 114 countries. More than 2000 weekly groups meet in churches, schools universities, offices, prisons and hospitals – the tip of an iceberg of a grass-roots community of individual meditators. Sixteen Christian Meditation Centres, from Jakarta to Los Angeles, also share the teaching through retreats and seminars.</p>
<hr /><p> </p>
<h1><span class="style13"><a id="Events" name="Events"></a>EVENTS 2010</span></h1>
<p><span class="style18">Greenbelt Festival</span> <span class="style17"><strong> -- </strong></span><span class="style13">27-30 August</span><br /><span class="style17">The oblates and young meditators group have organised a yurt with regular meditation sessions at the Festival where Fr Laurence Freeman is a keynote speaker.</span></p>
<p><span class="style6">Addiction</span>:<strong> the 9th demon and how meditation heals it </strong>-- <span class="style13">26-28 November</span><br /><span class="style8">Christian Meditation as an 11th Step Practice</span><br /><span class="style17"> A weekend retreat facilitated by Linda Kaye and Fr Laurence Freeman to be held in London. Full details will be available soon. Further information from <a href="mailto:lindakayec@gmail.com">lindakayec@gmail.com</a></span></p>
<p><span class="style18">Education</span><span class="style17"> – <span class="style12">Coming Home: Teaching Meditation to Children</span></span><br /><span class="style12"> </span><span class="style13">7 December</span><span class="style17"><strong>-- </strong>Day Seminar at Regents College, Regents Park, London<br />
•Dr. Cathy Day, Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Townsville, Australia and Mr. Ernie Christie, Assistant Director of Religious Education and Curriculum<br />
• Dr Jonathan Campion, Consultant Psychiatrist<br />
• Laurence Freeman OSB, Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation. </span></p>
<p><span class="style17">Contact Briji Waterfield<br />
Tel: 07980 581351 E: <a href="mailto:meditatio@wccm.org">meditatio@wccm.org</a> </span></p>
<hr /><h1> </h1>
<h1><span class="style13"><a id="Meditatio" name="Meditatio"></a>Meditatio, Kensington, London</span></h1>
<p><span class="style17">The Meditatio centre in London will coordinate the seminars as well as the development of our internet presence and use of contemporary media.<br />
Training programs will be created to share the insights of these seminars with national coordinators and group leaders in the different regions of the community. What is learned at the global level will thus be shared at the local level.<br />
Meditatio will also train young meditators for future leadership in the community. They will come from different parts of the world as interns or as part of the Oblate year formation programme.</span></p>
<hr /><h1 class="style13"><a id="Invitation" name="Invitation"></a>Invitation to Participate</h1>
<p class="style17">We invite you to participate and contribute to Meditatio. To receive regular updates and invitation to its events please visit our website at <a href="http://www.wccm.org">www.wccm.org</a></p>
<p class="style17">If you can contribute financially to the cost of this work, or to a particular aspect of it you can do so in the way most convenient to you.We would be very happy to discuss with you a way of giving that suits you best.</p>
<p><span class="style17">Please do not hesitate to contact<br />
Briji Waterfield, Special Projects Coordinator<br />
E: <a href="mailto:meditatio@wccm.org">meditatio@wccm.org</a> T: + 44 (0)20 7602 8098</span></p>
<hr /><h1 class="style13"><a id="Root" name="Root"></a>Root and Branch Committee</h1>
<p><span class="style17"><strong>Peter Ng Kok Song</strong> is Managing Director of the Government of<br />
Singapore Investment Corporation and a Trustee of the WCCM (Co-Chair)</span></p>
<p class="style17"><strong>John Studzinski</strong> CBE is the Global Head of the Corporate and Mergers and<br />
Acquisitions Advisory group, The Blackstone Group (Co-Chair)</p>
<p class="style17"><strong>Sean Hagan</strong> is General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department at the<br />
International Monetary Fund and a member of the WCCM Guiding Board</p>
<p class="style17"><strong>Ana Fonseca</strong> is Vice President of Business Affairs at Universal Music Brazil and is Vice Chair of the WCCM Guiding Board</p>
<p class="style17"><strong>Mathias Beißenger</strong> is Managing Partner of Nowinta Investment Service and the WCCM German National Coordinator</p>
<p class="style17"><strong>Briji Waterfield</strong> is the Special Projects Coordinator for The WCCM</p>
<p class="style17"><strong>Laurence Freeman</strong> OSB is a Benedictine monk and Director of<br />
The WCCM</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:44:16 +0000Greg125 at http://www.wccm.orgInternational Centres Worldwidehttp://www.wccm.org/content/international-centres-worldwide
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><a href="mailto:miriamboyle@yahoo.com" target="_blank">Mauritius</a></p>
<div>Email Contact - Mauritius</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.co.za/" target="_blank">South Africa</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Community | South Africa</div>
<div> </div>
<p><a href="http://www.meditacioncristiana.com/argentina/" target="_blank">Argentina</a></p>
<div>LA COMUNIDAD MUNDIAL PARA LA MEDITACIÓN CRISTIANA</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:fr.harry@caribsurf.com" target="_blank">Barbados</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>E-mail Contact - Barbados</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.com.br/" target="_blank">Brasil</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Communidade Mundial Para Meditacao Crista</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditatio.ca/" target="_blank">Canada</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Canadian Christian Meditation Community</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditationchretienne.ca/" target="_blank">Canada | French</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Meditation chretienne du Quebec</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditacioncristiana.cl/" target="_blank">Chile</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Comunidad Chilena para la Meditación Cristiana</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://meditacioncristianaencolombia@gmail.com/" target="_blank">Colombia</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>LA COMUNIDAD MUNDIAL PARA LA MEDITACIÓN CRISTIANA</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:cratz@cura.ne" target="_blank">Curacao</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>E-mail Contact - Curacao</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:inobert@yahoo.fr" target="_blank">Haiti</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Haiti</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.mediomedia.org/" target="_blank">Medio Media</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>US National Information Center</div>
<div>Books, Tapes, Newsletter, Catalog</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditacioncristiana.com/" target="_blank">Mexico</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>La Comunidad Mundial de Meditación Cristiana</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:jcosp@icc.edu.py" target="_blank">Paraguay</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Paraguay</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:titojulis@gmail.com" target="_blank">Peru</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email contact - Peru</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:carivemas@yahoo.com" target="_blank">Puerto Rico</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Puerto Rico</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://meditadores.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Silencio Interior - Spanish Meditation Blog</a></p>
<p></p>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:ruthsjc@flowtrinidad.net" target="_blank">Trinidad - West Indies</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Trinidad</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm-usa.org/" target="_blank">United States </a></p>
<p></p>
<div>USA Web Pages</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:parroquiasanalejandro@gmail.com" target="_blank">Uruguay</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Community Uruguay</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://meditadores.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Venezuela</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Community Venezuela</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<h3><a name="Asia and Pacific" id="Asia and Pacific">Asia and Pacific</a></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.christianmeditationaustralia.org/" target="_blank">Australia</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Australia Community for Christian Meditation</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.hk/" target="_blank">China</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Meditation Community in China</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:frdenis@connect.com.fj" target="_blank">Fiji</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.hk/" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Meditation Community in Hong Kong</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm-india.org/" target="_blank">India</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm-india.org/" target="_blank">India</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Meditation Community in India</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditasikristiani.com/" target="_blank">Indonesia</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>WCCM Indonesia</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.esuk.net/wccm/" target="_blank">Japan</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:saymooi@tm.net.my" target="_blank">Malaysia</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Information Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz/index.php" target="_blank">New Zealand</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Community</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:czgomez123@yahoo.com" target="_blank">Philippines</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccmsingapore.org/" target="_blank">Singapore</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Singapore Christian Meditation Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:paroi@solomon.com.sb" target="_blank">Solomon Islands</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Information Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:aloma@dplgroup.com" target="_blank">Sri Lanka</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Sri Lanka</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.hk/" target="_blank">Taiwan</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Meditation Community in Taiwan</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:sketudat@gmail.com" target="_blank">Thailand</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<h3><a name="Europe and the Middle East" id="Europe and the Middle East">Europe and the Middle East</a></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.christmed.be/" target="_blank">Belgium</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christelijk Meditatie Centrum</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.krestanskameditace.cz/" target="_blank">Czech Republic</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Czech Republic</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.kristenmeditation.org/" target="_blank">Denmark</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Kristen meditation</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:timo.huotari@ymail.com" target="_blank">Finland</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Finland</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditationchretienne.org/" target="_blank">France</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>La Communauté Mondiale de Méditants Chrétiens</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.de/" target="_blank">Germany</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Weltgemeinschaft für Christliche Meditation</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccmireland.org/" target="_blank">Ireland</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Community of Ireland</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditazionecristiana.org/" target="_blank">Italy</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Comunità Mondiale per la Meditazione Cristiana</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.jesus.lv/" target="_blank">Latvian Christian Meditation Community (WCCM Latvia</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Latvijas Kristīgās meditācijas kopiena</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccmalta.org/" target="_blank">Malta</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre - Malta</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.nl/" target="_blank">Netherlands</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christelijke Meditatie Nederland</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.no/" target="_blank">Norway</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Verdensfellesskapet for Kristen Meditasjon</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.pl/" target="_blank">Poland</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>O Medytacji Chrzes'cijan'skiej</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://meditacaocrista.weebly.com/index.html" target="_blank">Portugal</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Christian Meditation Centre - Portugal</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.meditaciocristiana.cat/" target="_blank">Spain (Catalonia)</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Meditació Cristiana</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="mailto:deborah.walton@gmail.com" target="_blank">Switzerland</a></p>
<p></p>
<div>Email Contact - Switzerland</div>
<p><a href="http://wccm.org.ua/" target="_blank">Ukraine</a></p>
<p>WCCM in Ukraine</p>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="http://www.christian-meditation.org.uk/" target="_blank">United Kingdom</a></div>
<div>UK Christian Meditation Community</div>
<div> </div>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=InternationalCentre&amp;pagestyle=default" target="_blank">WCCM International Centre</a></p>
<p></p>
<div><b>London - Serving The Entire World Community</b></div>
<div> </div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Sat, 25 Sep 2010 14:01:03 +0000Greg61 at http://www.wccm.orgInternational Officehttp://www.wccm.org/content/international-office-0
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>The International Office</h2>
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/IOTeam02sm.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 146px; margin: 5px; float: left;" />The International Office in London serves as a support and information hub for the world-wide community as well as a link between the Community and many other organizations and groups. A small core team and a wider group of volunteers run the centre and assume its responsibilities. The team, all regular meditators, have been brought together by our common goal and belief in John Main's mission. We cover many areas and functions: supporting Fr Laurence, his travels, diary and logistics; providing support to the Trustees, the Guiding Board, national coordinators and countries worldwide; disseminating information, producing the International Newsletter; assisting Medio Media, the publishing arm of the World Community; fundraising, organising international retreats, pilgrimages and giving guidance for the annual John Main Seminar - the list is endless. Our primary aim is to serve the worldwide community of meditators. A recent initiative has been to allocate a specific team member to each country, thereby providing a more personal approach. The International Centre is entirely dependent on financial support from the World Community, including a growing number of Friends who make its continued work more assured.</p>
<p>The World Community for Christian Meditation<br />Meditatio House<br />32 Hamilton Road<br />London W5 2EH<br />UK</p>
<p>International Office: +44 0207 278 2070<br />UK Office: + 44 (0) 8570 4466<br />Fax + 44 (0) 8280 0046<br />Email: <a href="mailto:welcome@wccm.org">welcome@wccm.org</a></p>
<p><a href="/national_communities" target="_self">Information Centres &amp; Email Contacts Worldwide</a></p>
<p><a href="/sites/default/files/users/PDF/2010/InternetDirectoryAugust2010.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Directory of Meditation Groups Worldwide [PDF]</b></a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Sat, 25 Sep 2010 08:56:00 +0000Greg59 at http://www.wccm.orgNewshttp://www.wccm.org/content/news
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/GreenbeltFestival2010.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; width: 300px; height: 225px; " /></p>
<div>Over the last six days of August a team of particularly keen meditators made their way to Cheltenham for a week of camping, praying, and soaking up all that Greenbelt Festival has to offer. With a participant capacity of 21,00, and events of every kind – from comedy to music, talks to drama, meditative Mass to Goth Eucharist – this was a chance for part of the WCCM community to share in some of the diversity that makes up our Church, as well as to spread the word about meditation and the prayer of the heart.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Second in attractiveness only to the meditation itself was the impressive yurt which housed our times of prayer. Twenty-one feet in diameter, two and half hours in constructing, and lent for the week by generous friends of WCCM, we were quite the cream of the campsite crop.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We gathered three times each day to still ourselves within its beautiful structure of wooden poles and canvas, and by the end of the week it had become a space of spirit and silence.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Even at a Christian Festival like Greenbelt it is easy to be swept away by the noise and the haste that make up so much of our existence. The presence of meditative prayer amongst those already happy to identify themselves as Christian (or at least happy to affiliate themselves with a Christian Festival) is no less important than it is amongst those who have no association with religion. Both the religious and the 'non-religious', it seems, are equally liable to slip into cycles of mental overactivity.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As we gathered for morning, midday, and evening meditation, it was a pleasure to be joined by fellow seekers from around the Festival – both those for whom meditation is a familiar and regular practice, and those interested in learning what it means to seek Christ's presence within. With music from the main stage often booming in the background (and testing our mantra to the limits!), our temporary Festival community was filled with some of the radicalness of John Main's original vision.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As a part of our daily routine there were many opportunities for both experienced and novice meditators to teach the basics of the practice. Audience numbers ranged from two to twelve hundred, but wherever and however it took place, there was a sense of subtle authority in what our team had to say. As a young meditator I have been struck on many occasions by the way received wisdom comes alive in the mouths of people of simple and honest prayer.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Those who commit themselves to a regular practice of meditation are a living witness to the need for sacrifice and self-giving in the heart of how we understand our faith. Coming away from Festival and reflecting, I am sure that each member of the Greenbelt team has been granted a sense of not only gaining from the vibrancy and freshness of the Festival events, but also of having given something to it, whether in the smallest of groups, or, in the case of Fr Laurence, from the stage in front of the grandstand.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>View the slide show here.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Listen to Father Laurence's Greenbelt Talk titled "Finding the Inner Room" here. [Other GREENBELT talks coming soon.]</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Philip Seal</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/category/news">News</a></div></div></div>Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:00:00 +0000Adriano51 at http://www.wccm.orgCommunity Newshttp://www.wccm.org/content/community-news
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p>
<table cellspacing="8" style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><tbody><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>John Main Seminar Summary &amp; Slide Show</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><img align="bottom" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/HomePage/2010/080910.jpg" /><br />
Photo: At the closing Eucharist of the 2010 John Main Seminar, in Canterbury, led by James Alison, representatives from many of the countries in the community received a candle to take home to their national community. In his talks James spoke of the essential mysteries of the Christian faith. Following the theme of Creation, death and resurrection and Eucharist he powerfully refreshed and reinvigorated for many the familiar symbols and texts. He spoke of God moving into the human condition without displacing us - powerful but not creating rivalry - and of Jesus as radically occupying the place of shame in order to reverse our usual, flawed way of seeing things.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>View a slide show of the Seminar <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/gregoryryan86/JohnMainSeminar2010#slideshow/5503837429203787874" target="_BLANK">here</a>.</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>John Main 2011 | Timothy Radcliffe OP</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2011/JMSflier2011200.jpg" />University College Cork, Ireland<br />
11-14 August 2011<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">What does it mean to be alive in Christ? This is a tough question in a society which is often secular and hostile. Timothy Radcliffe, former Master of the Dominican Order, will explore the roots of our identity and life as baptised people.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>PRE-SEMINAR RETREAT 8-11 August 2011<br />
led by Laurence Freeman OSB</b><br />
at University College Cork, Ireland</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">For further information<br />
Call 010 353 66 7137484<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:sylviajms11@gmail.com">sylviajms11@gmail.com</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>PDF brochure <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2011/JMSflier2011.pdf" target="_BLANK">here</a>.</b></p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>WCCM Newsletter ONLINE News</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Poland</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Meditatio 2010 Poland - Katowice<br />
"Seeking Holiness through Wholeness of the Body, Mind and Spirit"</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">WCCM Poland organized from the 1st till 3rd May 2010 Meditatio, our fifth national meditative retreat. During previous retreats we had the privilege of having Fr. Laurence Freeman as our guest speaker. This time we were visited by a teacher from India, Fr. Joe Pereira.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I had been wondering which element of the Christian meditation would be in the centre of Fr. Joe’s teaching. I anticipated that we would hear a lot about the consciousness of the body. It was not a secret that Fr. Joe was a yoga teacher and a student of Guruji BKS Iyengar as well.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">But it would be a mistake to assume that Fr. Joe teachings were completely different from Fr. Laurence’s. The man standing in front of us was a dedicated practitioner of Christian meditation, an Indian catholic parish priest and the man who founded The Kripa Foundation. Fr. Joe was awarded with the highest national award in India for helping those who struggled with different kinds of addictions. His teaching about Christian meditation was rooted in the deep experience of the holistic approach to the whole human being. The integration of spirit, mind and body was the way to this holiness.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">There is no shortage of Christian teachings talking about the spirit or even the mind, which processes and absorbs spiritual experiences, however, almost always there is some problem with the body. Although on one hand being the temple of Spirit it is, on the other hand, home to the different desires which “should” be subjugated.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We are so much lost between these two extremes approaches to our body that matters related to it have nearly disappeared from the positive religious teaching, just in case it might cause some confusion. The body on its own is not the most important, but thanks to its existence, our Spirit has a place to dwell in. “The body never tells lies, while your mind can do that” - Fr. Joe quite often repeated this sentence during the Meditatio, his talk to inmates in Wąsosz or during our body workshop in the Centre for Dialogue and Prayer in Oswiecim. “You can cheat yourself, but your body will never lie to you.” – he used to say.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">During previous Meditatios with Fr. Laurence Freeman we learnt about the roots of Christian meditation, the essentials of John Main`s teaching and the meaning of the mantra. Father Laurence taught us about the importance of reciting it in our hearts, for developing the discipline of fidelity to God and finally the poverty of spirit.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Meeting with Fr. Joe was an essential complementary addition to this teaching. Many times, repeatedly in fact, I have heard that we must learn to include our body in meditation. Unfortunately, just sitting on the meditation cushion or stool does not mean that you automatically do just that. If we want to involve our whole being into meditation we have to learn how to <i>communicate</i> with our own body.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">No one can do your meditation for you and equally nobody can understand your body for you. Thanks to Fr. Joe we could realize that the body is really a component of our prayer and as the element of our human condition makes our prayer unique, because every body is unique.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The program of Fr. Joe’s visit in Poland was very intense. After the Meditatio program we drove 100 km north to Czestochowa. In the evening we visited the renowned Sanctuary at Jasna Gora with its miraculous painting of Our Lady (Black Madonna). Next day in a penitentiary institution in Wasosz, located about 30 km away from Czestochowa, a group of about 100 inmates watched the Kripa documentary and listened to Fr. Joe`s talk. After that Fr. Joe led a 20 minute meditation for those prisoners who attend our weekly meditation group.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Next stop was Oswiecim, the Centre for Dialogue and Prayer, where Fr. Joe conducted a three days’ body workshop. At the end of our workshop we visited former the concentration camps in Auschwitz and Birkenau. We ended this short but busy trip to Poland by Fr. Joe in Krakow, the city of churches.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">“It was a good pilgrimage,” summarized Fr. Joe as we were seeing him off at the airport. It really was. For all of us it was a time of grace, indeed.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">WCCM Poland, Katowice <br />
Joanna Dworok</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>PORTUGAL</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Last Advent we launched a project to hand-write the St. Luke Gospel among all the meditators of the meditation groups. A chapter or two was distributed to each group so that each member could fulfill this task. The manuscript sheets will be handed over to the National Coordinator at the Contemplative Eucharist in June and bound into a book. The aim is also to “bind” the community together.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Our Course on Christian Mystics has focused on St. Teresa of Lisieux, The Beguins, Hildegard von Bingen, Edith Stein, Clement of Alexandria and Daniel Faria (a Portuguese mystic of the XX century). We are delighted that a bishop will be the lecturer for the final conference. As usual, after the conference and dialogue with the public there is a 20 minute period for meditation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">A one-day retreat took place in Lisbon on March 14, oriented by a Jesuit priest (the same who presides over our Contemplative Eucharists). Twenty-eight members of the Community attended.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Our InterReligious Meetings for Meditation (IRMM) continue and since the beginning of this year there is an addition: after the silent period of meditation (30 min.) a previously appointed member of one of the religious traditions speaks on a theme for 10 min. We have accorded the theme Compassion, for the current year. The May meeting was hosted by the Hindu Community. The Community in Viseu has also launched a similar initiative and on the 6th of March an interreligious meeting for meditation took place at the Major Seminary. Among the 27 people who came from different cities there were Christians, Buddhists, Vedantas and Taoists. They listened to extracts from the New Testament, Astavakra Gita, Tao-te-king and Dhammapada.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Due to the experience of the IRMM we have acknowledged the need to know more about the other traditions and we have therefore co-organized a six-sessions course as an Introduction to the Great Religions from April to May. Religions which have been introduced were: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islamism and Bahá’i Faith. The sessions lasted for one hour and a half and the room was always full (80 people).</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">An Introductory Seminar for Christian Meditation was held in the northern city of Braga. M. Salema and I went there last Saturday, 15th of May, to introduce Christian meditation to a group of 28 people, aged from 18 to 94. We were happy to realize that the audience took great interest on the presentation and that some of them were keen on the subject of meditation. There is no doubt that at least one meditation group will be formed in Braga!</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Maria Cristina</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="mailto:mcristinags@netcabo.pt">mcristinags@netcabo.pt</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Reflections by Fr. Laurence on the disruptions to events caused by the Volcano :</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">While the volcano eruption ended my longstanding plans to teach in Texas and lead a retreat in California, even ash clouds have silver linings and order comes out of chaos when we see it.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Within a few days our community in the US, the UK and Italy had pulled together and made a breakthrough in our use of technology. The videos were shot in London by a Colombian meditator staying with us for a year. They were processed and transmitted to the US by an IT meditator in Rome. Maria and Dan in California caught the ball and the showing of the videos worked well.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Feeling we were on a roll I suggested we try a live question and answer session on the last morning of the retreat. Amazingly and wonderfully it worked smoothly.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I was very moved to see and feel the atmosphere among the retreatants, to see old friends and meet new ones there. We learned many useful things through this event. Above all, I learned again what a wonderful, generous and resourceful community we are.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Meditation Podcasts @ iTunes</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Search for “Christian Meditation” in the podcast section of iTunes to find more than a dozen series of podcasts by John Main, Laurence Freeman, Bede Griffiths, Peter Ng, Gerry Pierse, David Wood and others. Though the podcasts are offered without cost, we suggest users send a donation to the Community at <a href="http://www.friendsinmeditation.com/friendsprogramme.html">http://www.friendsinmeditation.com/friendsprogramme.html</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Review of The Shape of the Wave</b>: Elizabeth Cardone</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Meditators of all ages and levels of experience will appreciate the wisdom of Fr. Laurence’s The Shape of a Wave, a collection of captivating and enlightening talks given at Monte Oliveto.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">While skillfully exploring the concept of the wave and how it can help us to better understand our own meditation and life experiences, Fr. Laurence guides his listeners through a side-by-side study of The Conferences of John Cassian and some of the Upanishads of the Hindu tradition. The desert monks of The Conferences seek to realize the Kingdom of Heaven; similarly, young Nachiketas of the Katha Upanishads searches for the meaning of life.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">With a thoughtful and conversational style, complemented by a good measure of humor and spontaneity, Fr. Laurence investigates the topics of contemplation, purity of heart, love and attention, self-knowledge, and wisdom, as well as the ideas of attachment and distraction, the nature and types of thoughts, and the role of crisis in spiritual growth and maturity.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Elizabeth Cardone</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="mailto:elizabeth.cardone@gmail.com">elizabeth.cardone@gmail.com</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Review of Community of Love</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">John Main’s Community of Love is a luminous work of exquisite depth and intelligence. The book’s contents are delightful and even unexpected. Here, Fr. John teaches on a wide range of topics, but with a cohesive vision and an authority informed by the light of experience.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Topics covered include, but are not limited to: the role of the Church in the modern world, the function of prayer and meditation in education, reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict, and the importance of community, as well as thoughts on Mary and the nature of death and resurrection.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Throughout this book, we see John Main’s commitment to the truth and practice of meditation, coupled with a powerful love for his community and his church. Above all, John Main’s writing reveals his own rootedness in the redeeming and resurrected Christ. He tells us, “Seeking Christ means that we open our consciousness to his. We begin to see with his vision, to love with his heart, and to do so without counting the cost.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This new edition of Community of Love, with fascinating new prefaces from Fr. Laurence, will be of great benefit to both beginning and more experienced meditators. New meditators will gain encouragement and see the broad context of faith and experience in which we meditate. Committed meditators will find strength and renewal in the knowledge that their mediation shapes all aspects of their lives.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Community of Love presents a marvelous distillation of John Main’s thought. This is John Main at his finest.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Elizabeth Cardone <a href="mailto:elizabeth.cardone@gmail.com">elizabeth.cardone@gmail.com</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>THAILAND</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Father Laurence and the WCCM Community join our brothers and sisters in Thailand in praying that the violent civil unrest in their once peaceful country is resolved soon, and without further loss of life. We know that the meditation practice and the mantra will carry the Thai community through this difficult time, and we invite meditators to share their contemplative response to the situation. Please send comments for posting on the Peace &amp; Justice pages to <a href="mailto:claudiamorgan@comcast.net">claudiamorgan@comcast.net</a>.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>SWITZERLAND</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">As a follow-up to the Inter-Faith meeting organised in Geneva in November of 2009, the Swiss community will be organising another such meeting from December 3 in the late afternoon until December 4 at the end of the day. The conferences will take place at the Château de Bossey, close to Geneva and will be in French, without translation. The speakers will be Father Laurence Freeman, head of the World Community for Christian Meditation, Dr Faouzi Skali, Soufi and founder of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music and Rabbi Marc Guedj from Geneva. If you would like to be informed as soon as the programme is finalised, please send a mail to: <a href="mailto:deborah.walton@gmail.com">deborah.walton@gmail.com</a> or to: <a href="mailto:john.moederle@gmail.com">john.moederle@gmail.com</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>INDIA</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Mumbai Meditators’ Two-Day Silent Retreat.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Days of Silence and a Two-day Silent Retreat are regular features in the calendar of events of the WCCM Mumbai meditation community. This year’s Silent Retreat, held at the Canossa Ashram in a suburb of the city afforded quiet time and space for mediators to prepare for Holy Week, held as it was on the Week-end prior to Passion Sunday. We were privileged to have two priest participants, one diocesan and the other belonging to the Salesian Congregation. The latter is Fr. Pius Palathingal sdb. He has done his Licentiate in Spiritual Theology from the Salesian University in Rome with “The Art of Christian Meditation based on the works of John Main” as its subject. He recently celebrated his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee and on that occasion brought out a book on Christian Meditation. This was the time to re-connect with Fr. Laurence who wrote a presentation for his book. Fr. Pius shared with us his valuable insights into John Main’s teaching on prayer and this retreat has encouraged him to be part of spreading the practice of Christian Meditation in India, much to Fr. Laurence’s delight.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">For many of the participants, it was a time to unwind and to reconnect with their centre. The morning walking meditation was a special experience. The time for Taize Prayer , Chanting the Morning, Evening and Night Prayer, a Way of the Cross presented as a Lectio Divina all served to enhance the quality of the 4 – 5 times of meditation each day. The presence of the Auxiliary Bishop who celebrated the Eucharist on Saturday was much appreciated. He spent the whole morning participating in the programme praying and meditating with us. Four married couples, a mother and her young son, two priests, a management professional and a host of regular meditators made this group quite unique in its character. This has been for all of us a time of grace and the experience of truly being community.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Christopher Mendonca.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>AUSTRALIA</b> Greetings from Bundaberg!</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Travelling with Fr Laurence Freeman for a week during the month of February, 2010, was one of the highlights of my life.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">It was the occasion of “THE BISHOP’S INSERVICE DAYS” in the Diocese of Rockhampton. Our Bishop, Fr Brian Heenan, takes time out each year to visit different areas of the large diocese to spend a day with the staff of all Catholic schools, the catechists who teach religious education in State schools, adult educators, Centacare staff, Youth, members of religious congregations, Catholic parishioners, members of other Churches, and members of the local Christian meditation groups.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This year was special. Bishop Brian had invited Fr Laurence Freeman to be the Keynote Speaker on each day, as well as to present a workshop on Christian Meditation, as one of a variety of workshops available to participants each afternoon.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Following a prayer ritual which focussed on The Year of the Priest, a welcome from the Director of Catholic Education, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, and an address from the Bishop, it was Fr Laurence’s turn to address the audience. Audiences varied in size according to the region, with approximately 1000 people in each of the Rockhampton and Mackay regions, 400 in each of Gladstone and Bundaberg, and 300 in the Emerald region, with people travelling from Barcaldine, Blackall, Clermont and Springsure. Because of distance, people in Longreach received a live broadcast of Fr Laurence’s address in Rockhampton.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The theme of each day was “Taking Time…”, and Fr Laurence encouraged his audiences to take time each day for prayer, especially Christian Meditation, so that prayer becomes grounded in our daily lives. He advocated the value of teaching Christian Meditation to children, and referred to the daily practice of meditation undertaken in many Catholic schools across Australia. Many principals and teachers left each day with the intention of introducing daily Christian meditation into their classrooms. The parables of Jesus, and His teaching on prayer, were brought to life by Fr Laurence as a sound basis for our Christian meditation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">One aspect of his presentation that has remained with me, was Fr. Laurence’s description of “The Catholic Mind” as “The Mind of Christ”. A mind which is all inclusive, open to all, without division or discrimination, where all are equal and loved by God, and no barriers are created. People in the audience, from many different walks of life, felt very much at home.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">While the majority of participants had no prior knowledge of Fr Laurence, evaluation comments included:</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">. Fr. Laurence Freeman was inspiring;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">. Meditation workshops were really interesting;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">. Fr Laurence excellent!!</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">. Loved the meditation presentation;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">. The practical experience of meditation was very worthwhile;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">. Loved the guest speaker- what wonderful knowledge;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">.Fr Laurence was inspiring, first with the Biblical introduction, and then with the actual meditation;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">.Guest speaker was thought-provoking;</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">.A worthwhile experience to listen to Fr Laurence and to have time to practice the art of meditation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Joe Mc Corley</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>JOHN MAIN: A SAINT FOR OUR TIMES</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/JM1.jpg" />NEW REPRINT OF BOOK CLAIMS JOHN MAIN A SAINT FOR OUR TIMES<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">A recently published reprint of the book " All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets and Witnesses for Our Time" has been published by Orbis Books. In the book author Robert Ellsberg claims John Main as a saint for December 30. John Main died December 30, 1982.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In a rich compendium of 590 pages, Ellsberg includes John Main along with 365 other saints, traditional and contemporary, canonized and un-canonized, in an updated calendar of daily saints whose lives speak to the meaning of holiness in our time.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Included along with John Main are such saints as St Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, St Augustine, Simone Weil, Etty Hillesum, Archbishop Romero, Teresa of Lisieux, Thomas Aquinas, Joan of Arc, John Cassian, Hildegard of Bingen, Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and 347 other profiles of saints at the margins as well as in the Christian tradition mainstream.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In a profile detailing his life on page 568 for December 30, Ellsberg calls John Main a "monk and master of Christian meditation", quotes from his talks and writings, and emphasizes John Main's approach to contemplative prayer that furthers dialogue with people of other faiths. After a visit between the Dalai Lama and John Main, Ellsberg quotes Main as saying, "We meditated together in absolute openness to love and to the Lord of love. We were not trying to convert one another. Our challenge as Christians is not to try to convert people around us to our way of belief but to love them, to be ourselves living incarnations of what we believe, to live what we believe, and to love what we believe".</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Ellsberg points out that John Main was given very little time to develop his experimental monastery in Montreal. He says that Main suffered in his last illness, yet few apart from his dearest friends were aware of the seriousness of his condition. Until the end John Main continued to write and give conferences.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In his last major talk, says Ellsberg, John Main spoke at length on death and "the inner journey." He said, "The inner journey is a way of union. Firstly it unites us to ourselves. Then as our personal fulfillment is found beyond ourselves it unites us to others. And then as union with others opens up the heart of the mystery of love, it unites us with God, so that God may be all in all".</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Reviewed by Paul Harris, Canada</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Newsletter News Items | June 2010</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><a href="http://wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=NewsletterNewsJune2010&amp;pagestyle=default" target="_BLANK">Here</a> you may read the NEWS items that are part of the June Newsletter. Be sure to use the link in the left-hand menu to visit the NEWSLETTER page to read Fr Laurence's latest letter and News.</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Word from Thailand</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />To the World Community for Christian Meditation,<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Christian Meditators in Thailand first came together at Mater Dei Convent, located in central Bangkok, on land now adjacent to what has become the largest protest site for the present turmoil in our country. Here we learned to practice mediation and to be guided by Fr Laurence, Sr Theodore, Peter and Patricia Ng here.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Christian Meditators now come in many colors and may have different loyalties at the present time, but we are all Thais or adopted Thais, and so have been devastated by the weeks of conflict and fighting across the country, but especially in the capitol of Bangkok.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">With violence, distrust, disharmony, pain, fear as our daily emotions, many of us live in an embattled war zone. How can this be our beloved city of Bangkok? An open wound of distrust, of fighting, destruction and despair have taken the place of the normal Thai behavior of sharing, caring, gentleness, kindness and compassion.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">On behalf of the Christian Meditators in Thailand, I appeal to you for prayers for all the Thai people who are suffering in so many ways at this time. We would be happy to receive any response you may wish to share with us.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I ask for the prayers of the World Community and of each of you and your families and friends, for the Royal Thai family, the present government, the protestors - no matter the color of the shirts they may wear, and those of us who will have to help rebuild a caring loving society.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">May peace, justice, compassion return once again to our beautiful and beloved Thailand.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Peace, compassion,<br />
Emilie Ketudat, WCCM Thailand Country Coordinator <br /><b>More on our Peace and Justice page <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=peaceandjustice&amp;pagestyle=default">here</a>.</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Mumbai Meditators’ Two-Day Silent Retreat.</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2010/India0310.jpg" />Days of Silence and a Two-day Silent Retreat are regular features in the calendar of events of the WCCM Mumbai meditation community. This year’s Silent Retreat, held at the Canossa Ashram in a suburb of the city afforded quiet time and space for mediators to prepare for Holy Week, held as it was on the Week-end prior to Passion Sunday. We were privileged to have two priest participants, one diocesan and the other belonging to the Salesian Congregation. The latter is Fr. Pius Palathingal sdb. He has done his Licentiate in Spiritual Theology from the Salesian University in Rome with “The Art of Christian Meditation based on the works of John Main” as its subject. He recently celebrated his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee and on that occasion brought out a book on Christian Meditation. This was the time to re-connect with Fr. Laurence who wrote a presentation for his book. Fr. Pius shared with us his valuable insights into John Main’s teaching on prayer and this retreat has encouraged him to be part of spreading the practice of Christian Meditation in India, much to Fr. Laurence’s delight.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">For many of the participants, it was a time to unwind and to reconnect with their centre. The morning walking meditation was a special experience. The time for Taize Prayer , Chanting the Morning, Evening and Night Prayer, a Way of the Cross presented as a Lectio Divina all served to enhance the quality of the 4 – 5 times of meditation each day. The presence of the Auxiliary Bishop who celebrated the Eucharist on Saturday was much appreciated. He spent the whole morning participating in the programme praying and meditating with us. Four married couples, a mother and her young son, two priests, a management professional and a host of regular meditators made this group quite unique in its character. This has been for all of us a time of grace and the experience of truly being community.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="mailto:cjwm1943@gmail.com" target="_BLANK">Christopher Mendonca</a></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Relief in Haiti</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/news/2010/Haiti032010.jpg" /><b>Supplies being delivered to Fond des Blancs from the USNS Comfort.</b><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">As we continue to focus on earthquake relief efforts that don't show any sign of diminishing in importance, I wanted to take a quick time out to reflect on what has happened and where we are going.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Obviously, the catastrophe of Jan. 12th will have a lasting effect on Haiti for decades to come, but the immediate needs are still very evident. As we drive around Port-Au-Prince, Leogane, Petit Goave these days, we see every single free space or public square is filled with makeshift camps of sheets and sticks. Rarely, do we see tents or tarps, and even more rarely do we see latrines or any semblance of sanitation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">People from Port-Au-Prince still continue to pour into Fond des Blancs as life in the capital becomes more difficult. The strain on the community's food resources is evident as an already hungry population is forced to come up with extra nourishment for refugees from the capital. School populations have increased astronomically as tarps are erected and classes are moved to new locations to compensate for the influx of new students. The hospital has also seen a large increase in the numbers of hospitalized patients, as we move towards filling the hallways (and perhaps soon a tent) with cots. Our outlying clinic in Villa, severely damaged in the quake, has been moved to a church hall next door and our team has started seeing patients again only two weeks after the destruction.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The people of Fond des Blancs and St. Boniface have proven to be extraordinarily resilient. Panic over aftershocks has died down and people have come together to start the long process of relief and renewal. The hospital staff has been dedicated to normal activities as well as the added task of receiving daily (and sometimes twice daily) helicopters from the USNS Comfort delivering difficult post-op cases. Many of these patients are paraplegics, as other hospitals in the country don't want the added burden of taking care of these people over the long haul. Our staff has already formed a team to be responsible for their physical rehab and through a partnership with Handicap International, Healing Hands for Haiti, the Clinton Foundation, and our generous donors we feel that we can provide the care that these patients need and deserve.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In the coming weeks, we expect to work on food distribution to the local population, come up with ways to get more refugee children placed in school, provide mobile primary care clinics in the refugee camps in Port-Au-Prince, receive severely malnourished children from the capital and Mother Theresa's home, and continue to receive helicopters carrying patients from the USNS Comfort. These are all short term activities that will help with relief; however we are also working with the local community to identify better ways to rebuild.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Even in the darkest hours here in Haiti, the people still have not given up hope. We thank you for your generous support for all that our team continues to do down here. We promise to continue to do everything possible to work in solidarity with the people of Fond des Blancs and the people of Haiti as we advance on the road of relief and recovery.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Kenbe fem,<br />
Conor</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Benedictine Monk speaks on Making the Most of Crisis</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2010/LFaustraliaNews.jpg" />“A society of stress and anxiety, dragging a ball and chain around through the day” was how Benedictine monk Father Laurence Freeman OSB described some people’s experience of today’s world in his lecture to over 200 people gathered at The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle Campus on Tuesday 16 February.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Entitled "Making the Most of Crisis: How a Contemplative Mind Grows”, the lecture was focused on the importance of contemplation and role of meditation when dealing with crisis.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Read the complete Web article <a href="http://www.nd.edu.au/news/media-releases/2010/freeman.shtml" target="_BLANK">here</a>.</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Reflections Fr Rev Glenda Meakin’s talk in Sarasota</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2010/MeakinsFla2010.jpg" />Feb 13, 2010 <b>Announcement</b><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Listening to the Daily News with a Contemplative Heart</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Join us on the beautiful campus of St Boniface Episcopal Church, located across the street from Siesta Key beach, for a day of reflection on the ways in which Christian meditation/ contemplative prayer enables us to listen to the daily news and respond to the needs of the world from a place of compassion, justice and love. Rather than being overwhelmed by the news, meditation empowers us to offer our talents and resources in humility and service. In meditation, we discover the inner resources, the insight and grace to do our small part in the healing of God’s world.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Reflection</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Reverend Glenda Meakin a retired Episcopal priest from Ontario, Canada presented a one day retreat at St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The focus was on how meditation helps us balance the news of the day.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The meditators of Sarasota dreamed of a retreat but Glenda Meakin's presence and message exceeded all expectations.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Her presentation was down to earth help for those following the path of daily meditation in a busy world. She reminded us "we are God's beloved".</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">She examined the Gospel story of Christ removing the money changers from the Temple. She reminded us that the Temple of our heart needs some things to be removed from time to time if the things obstruct our relationship with God. Glenda suggested that daily meditation practice is the way to preserve the sanctity of the personal temple of our heart.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The second Gospel she explored was the Wedding Feast of Cana. Those at the wedding feast declared that the best wine was saved until last. Glenda said the best years of our life should be the present and the years to come as we go forth with the blessings we receive.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Thank you, Glenda, for your presence in Sarasota and your warm and generous message.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">George Browning </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>From Pauline Peters....</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2010/Pauline032010.jpg" /><b>Dear National Coordinators, group leaders and friends,</b><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">You may remember Fr Laurence’s Tablet on the tsunami in Chile. The words of María Rosa González the Coordinator as she tried to escape the aftermath and violence touched us all. Many emailed you were praying for Maria Rosa and her family and asked for news of her. In an email this week she sent her thanks and said ‘We are "well", after what we lived through. I was very near to the epicenter at the beach in Dichato, where the tsunami destroyed almost the whole town , so my younger son Alonso and I had to run to the hill , escaping from the tsunami. I am now at home in Concepción although I go back to Dichato to help the people that are still living in tents, our winter is starting and is very cold.’ We hold the people there especially in Dichato in our prayers.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">John Main Seminar 2010 -- University of Kent, Canterbury 5-8 August</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Each year we hold the international John Main Seminar to celebrate the life and teaching of Fr John Main whose life's work was passing on the practice of Christian meditation to all. It’s a time when we gather as a world community with a leading speaker. James Alison theologian and writer will lead this year’s Seminar with the theme ‘The Shape of God's Affection’. The Pre-Seminar silent retreat 'Practice makes Perfect' 2-5 August will be led by Fr Laurence. Come and join us if you can! <a href="mailto:bookings@jms10.com">bookings@jms10.com</a> <a href="http://www.jms10.com">www.jms10.com</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">MMI has produced "When God Disappears” a set of talks given by Robert Kennedy SJ at the John Main Seminar 2009. Fr Kennedy uses the traditional Zen approach to teaching through questioning and art. The talks are structured around twelve koans (a story, question, or statement whose meaning can't be accessed by rational thinking, yet may be understood by intuition). The set also includes an elegant fold out leaflet with the koans beautifully illustrated by Amy Yee’s paintings and by Fr Kennedy’s calligraphy. I’m sure this will be a set to treasure or perhaps give as a gift. The cds will be available from the International Office London <a href="mailto:welcome@wccm.org">welcome@wccm.org</a> the Medio Media bookstore Tucson <a href="http://www.mediomedia.org">www.mediomedia.org</a> as well as from your WCCM local distributors in Australia, Singapore and Canada.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Last month Fr Laurence had a full and varied programme on his first visit to Barcelona. Fr Laurence visited the Benedictine Abbey of Montserrat and with the National contact Marco Schorlemmer hiked up to a hermitage in the mountains to meditate. Fr Laurence gave a TV interview, a talk at the University where Marco has a small group, a meeting with the Bishop and a public talk for over 200. Marco said Fr Laurence’s visit had a profound effect with people asking about starting a group or joining the group at the university. Marco hopes to translate the newsletter into Catalan as many have asked for more news about meditation and the community. The Catalan website is <a href="http://www.meditaciocristiana.cat/">http://www.meditaciocristiana.cat/</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">While he was there Fr Laurence visited an old friend, the philosopher and theologian Raimon Panikkar one of the leading figures in interreligious dialogue for over half a century who gave the memorable 1996 JM Seminar in London on "The Silence of Life" .</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Congratulations to Maria and Albert Zakharova who organized the first Ukrainian conference in Kiev this weekend with the theme - Christian Meditation: the contemplative Church tradition, Past and Present. The speakers included the Polish coordinator Paulina Lesniak and Dominican priests Fr. Wozniak from Kiev and Fr Czwichocki from Poland. It concluded with an online interview with Fr Laurence through the wonders of technology! During the conference the WCCM DVD “The Pilgrimage" with Russian subtitles was shown and they launched Fr Laurence’s book "Light Within’ the first WCCM book translated into Russian -a wonderful achievement for such a new and small group of meditators. The website is <a href="http://www.wccm.org.ua">www.wccm.org.ua</a> Click on the 2nd last link at the top- галерея- which is the Photo gallery and you’ll see an amazing collection of wccm photos.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Lina Lee and the Hong Kong Community recently produced a booklet commemorating the first anniversary of their former Spiritual Director and teacher Fr Sean Burke. The booklet contains some of Fr Sean’s quotes and extracts from his writing on meditation.. They were pleased when the Correctional Services asked for 200 booklets as Fr Sean had been head chaplain for Hong Kong's prisons. Last month the Red Cross Hong Kong and Radio and Television Hong Kong honored Father Sean with its 3rd Humanity Award for his dedication over 30 years to the marginalized in the country.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">WCCM Weekly Readings now for your iPhone, iPod or iPad! Follow the link below for directions or go to Mobile weekly readings on the left hand menu on the webpage <a href="http://wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=MobileReadings&amp;pagestyle=default">http://wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=MobileReadings&amp;pagestyle=default</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Many of you have heard of Bere Island from Fr Laurence's book 'Jesus the Teacher Within’. Fr Laurence has often mentioned in articles the little island in Bantry Bay where his family came from and where we hold our Easter retreat. His Tablet article below is about Aisling the beautiful little 5 year old daughter of the group leader Anne Marie who died after a tragic accident 2weeks ago. Aisling was also a meditator and you may have seen on the WCCM home page a beautiful photo of Aisling meditating with her mother in the meditation room on the island. We hold Jack and Anne Marie and their boys as well the Bere Island community in our hearts.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Pauline</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i>To follow the way of meditation we need others to travel with us. It is a pilgrimage. The essence of meditation is to be on the way. Pilgrims travel together in faith, supporting and encouraging one another as they go, as they approach at different speeds, and in different ways perhaps, a common goal. - John Main </i></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Haiti Pilgrimage 2010</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2010/Haiti0901.jpg" />Here is reflection from George Browning from our trip in Dec 2009. We are planning another trip this year.<br />
love&amp;prayers - gene bebeau, us coordinator<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I was fortunate to be one of eleven for the WCCM visit to Haiti in 2008. I was moved by the experience and planned to invite my daughters to see what I had seen if possible.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Only one of my daughters, Katy, was able to go to Haiti in December 2009 for the WCCM trip. There was no disappointment. All my hopes and dreams for a shared experience were realized.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Although we were few in numbers we set off on an ambitious schedule of talks by Michel Legault and Dr Pierre. We visited students in seminaries, high schools, and a nursing school. A fishing village and the hospital at Fond de Blanc were high points. Holding the babys at Mother Theresa's Orphanage will stay in our hearts and minds.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">My daughter's reaction to our generous hosts and leaders, the peace and humility of the Haitian people, the fun of a full schedule with wonderful companions, and the power of meditation, was wonderful to experience.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">If you get a chance to make this trip don't miss it!</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">George Browning</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">[Photo top: Pierre's group and Church members in Fond Des Blanc]</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">[Photo below] Talk at a School in Fond Des Blanc at the end of the school day. They had just finished taking tests. We didn't have a place to sit so we did a short period of Yoga led by Dr Pierre and 4 minute standing meditation. The children were surprised at how energized they felt afterwards.<br /><img align="left" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2010/Haiti0902.jpg" /></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Advent, Christmas &amp; Lent Reflections from India</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/Christopher80.jpg" /><b>Advent, Christmas, Lent &amp; Easter Reflections written by Christopher Mendonca</b><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Easter%202010.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Easter 2010</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Lent%202010-6.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Lent 2010 - Week 6</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Lent%202010-5.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Lent 2010 - Week 5</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Lent%202010-4.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Lent 2010 - Week 4</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Lent%202010-3.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Lent 2010 - Week 3</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Lent%202010-2.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Lent 2010 - Week 2</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/Lent%202010-1.doc%201.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Lent 2010 - Week 1</b></a>
<hr /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2009/Christmas2009.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Christmas 2009</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2009/Advent093.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Advent 2009-3</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2009/Advent092.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Advent 2009-2</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2009/Advent%202009-1.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Advent 2009-1</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/Advent20081.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Week 1</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/Advent20082.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Week 2</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/Advent20083.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Week 3</b></a><br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/Advent20084.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Christmas</b></a><br />
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>SUNDAY EXAMINER, HONG KONG `FEATURE' </strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><a href="http://sundayex.catholic.org.hk">http://sundayex.catholic.org.hk</a> | November 8, 2009 | P.12 Look for attention in prayer not intention, priest counsels.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">HONG KONG (SE): “Prayer is about attention, not intention,” Father Laurence Freeman said during a three-day visit to Hong Kong from September 12 to 14. Speaking at retreat days in St. Jude’s in North Point, St. John’s Anglican Cathedral and the University of Hong Kong, the English Benedictine priest said that Jesus was a great one for asking questions. “However, he seldom answered them,” he noted.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">He pointed out that when Jesus was asked where he was staying, he simply answered, “Come and see.” He also asked his followers, “What are you looking for?” Father Freeman said, “That question reminds us of our fragilities, it is a challenge to look at the priorities in our lives. This is where we need to pay attention to Jesus.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Father Freeman said that we need to pay attention to the questions that Jesus asks. “And the attention is extremely important,” he added, “as Jesus describes prayer as attention, not intention. It is an invitation to come and see.” He said that much of our prayer tends to be bargaining with God, trying to get him to change his mind on something. “Some people,” he said, “aim at changing God’s mind, asking him to intervene in human affairs and change some relationship with God. They try to get God’s attention or bargain with him, but in fact, God knows our real needs before they are put into words.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In describing the importance of prayer, Father Freeman noted, “The way we pray is the way we live.” He used the image of a wheel to describe what he called centreing prayer, where the spokes are the many ways that we approach God, but the hub, or the centre, is the part which remains silent and still. “That is where we find the connection in our stillness to the centre of our lives.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">However, he also noted that the wheel will never move if does not touch the ground. In the same way our prayer must also touch the ground. “Prayer should be grounded in our daily life, the daily experience of ourselves.” However, he noted that because, as St. Paul says, “we do not know how to pray, we must allow the Spirit to pray within us.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Father Freeman said that prayer must always be directed towards the centre. “As St. Paul said, ‘I live no longer, but Christ lives in me.’ And so we can say, ‘I pray no longer, but Christ prays in me’.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">He said that what he calls centreing prayer is born out of a lay spirituality, as it was conceptualised by a lay person, John Main.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Father Freeman harked back to his school days at a Benedictine college in England. “We had just broken one religion teacher,” he related, “and we got a tall, confident, at ease, natural man with a strong sense of humour, called Brother John, and we knew he was in charge.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">However, the wheel of life does go round, as Father Freeman described how he met him again in his second year at university.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Main was born in London in 1926, to Irish parents in Canterbury. Jesuit educated, he joined the Benedictines as a student for priesthood after World War II, but left to study law at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">As a lawyer, he joined the British Diplomatic Service in the 1950s, and was stationed in what was then known as Malaya, which was in a state of turmoil and civil war. “One day, he went to visit an Indian monk in Kuala Lumpur on official business. Immediately, he understood he was in the presence of a special man of profound integrity. They talked about prayer.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Father Freeman said that Main told the monk how he prayed, reflecti</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">on, asking for forgiveness, making intercessions and, his daily Mass. However, the monk then shared, “When I pray, I allow it to sink into the silence of the heart. We do this with the spirit, the creator of the universe, who dwells in the human heart in silence and is loving to all.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The Indian monk advised him, “Just take a sacred word, a mantra, and repeat it continuously, letting go of thoughts and images. Main was fascinated.” Father Freeman added, “The use of repeated words is common in prayer. We should use them in our life journey so that we can interact with the journeys of Christ.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Father Freeman told the members of his audience that their presence at his talk shows that prayer is important to them. He reminded them, “Prayer is like the wind. We think we are on our way, at a turning point or on the point of a great discovery. But by thinking that we know the way we are following, it can just as easily turn in an instant, becoming totally unpredictable.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">He also encouraged people not to get discouraged. He described how being busy, getting sick or distracted can easily leave prayer as the first casualty. “But remember that meditation did touch you,” he counselled, “we can connect again.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">He added that, strangely, meditation is a way of losing control. Contrasting it to the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, where people are encouraged to relate to God to recover from or heal anger, addiction and things like that just to get control of ourselves, he noted that at the same time, people are trying to touch the presence of God, not sharpen their ideas about God.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">“In meditation, we learn to lose control, letting go of the control of the possession of the ego. The challenge is simple, but not easy. We have to put the teachings of Jesus into practice, we have to lose ourselves, then find life,” he went on.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">He explained that often we try to deal with crisis by working to control things, but this usually does not work. “We feel helpless,” he said, “and if we do not deal with it we will breakdown. In meditation we can begin to see a new wisdom, a new way of looking at things and a new knowledge emerges.”</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">He described this as being the point where we begin to pay attention and “attention is itself a freedom,” he concluded.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Christian Meditation Center | Neptune Beach,FL</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />Website for a new Meditation Center... <a href="http://www.wccmneptunebeach.org">www.wccmneptunebeach.org</a><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Every day brings newcomers seeking to experience Christian Meditation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">There have been a couple of items in the local papers and another one coming up in about 10 days to focus on our day of prayer: Thanksgiving Day held at the Center in Silence Stillness and Simplicity. A day of silence with 6 scheduled meditations. Six volunteers will come to lead each meditation period.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">7AM-7:30AM | 9:30AM-10:00AM | 12:15-12:45PM | 3:00PM - 3:30PM and 6:30PM - 7:00PM The Center will be in silence, however there will be a Spiritual Friendship room available for anyone who would like to expierence Lectio Divina. There has been an overwhelming response from the community of meditators eager to join us for a time set apart in their rather chaotic weekend of family, football, food and the begining of the holiday shopping frenzy; a day which for the most part has lost all meaning of thankful hearts in the unity of the spirit.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Linda Kaye, Director of the Christian Meditation Center Neptune Beach,FL</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>John Main Seminar 2009 | Photos</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><b>View photos <a href="http://kennedyzen.tripod.com/john_main_seminar_09" target="_BLANK">here</a>.</b></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Father Laurence in Hong Kong | Media</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/2009/HK0909.jpg" /><a href="http://www.med.hku.hk/download/20090913" target="_BLANK"><b>Here</b></a> you may download audio and video clips of Father Laurence's recent visits to Hong Kong, China and Japan. You can right click the hyper-links and select "Save Target As...". </td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>I knew my prayer life needed strengthening...</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />During a Lenten program through my church, San Jose Catholic, I was introduced to meditation. I knew my prayer life needed strengthening and decided meditation was the way to do this. A little over a year after beginning meditation I lost my job. I worked for this company thirty-nine years. One minute I was working on a project and the next a security guard was walking me to my car like I was a criminal.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I went through some stages of loss even a little depression. But panic or hopelessness never set in. Every day I continued to get up early and meditate, go for a walk and say the Rosary and go to daily Mass. I did what I needed to do to find a job – network, prepare a resume, write letters to prospective employers etc. – I found a temporary position for three months and then almost a year after being laid off I found a permanent position.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">At one of our weekly group meditation gatherings after I found my new job our leader, Joanne, asked the question if meditation has helped in our lives. I hadn’t thought of it before this, but I knew right away the reason I wasn’t panic stricken about losing my job or anxious about finding another one is meditation brings a calmness to my life I have not experienced before. I truly believe this is the first time I have actually been able to put into practice “turning a problem over to God.” Because of meditation God didn’t have to work through a tangle of emotions to get my attention. I was already paying attention through meditation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Linda DiMuzio </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>NEWSLETTERS</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><b>Subscribe, download, read or listen .<a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=newsletter&amp;pagestyle=default">here</a>.</b></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>IN THE SPOTLIGHT | Reviews</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><b>Learn more about the latest publications <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=bookreviews&amp;pagestyle=default">here</a>.</b></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>"Silence in the City" | Video Trailer</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><object height="344" width="425"></object><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>For complete information and the 10-minute video, please go to <a href="http://www.christianmeditationaustralia.org">www.christianmeditationaustralia.org</a> .</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>JOHN MAIN DAILY READINGS BOOK PUBLISHED IN A SPANISH EDITION</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/Silencio135.jpg" />Silence and Stillness in Every Season: Daily Readings with John Main, edited by Paul Harris, with a Preface by Magdalena Puebla and an introduction by Laurence Freeman, was recently published in a Spanish language edition in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by Bonum Publishers. The title of the Spanish edition is John Main: Silencio y Quietud, para cada dia del ano. (For information contact; Contemplative Life Bookstore website: <a href="http://www.contemplative-life.org">www.contemplative-life.org</a> -- Email address is <a href="mailto:meditate@mediomedia.org">meditate@mediomedia.org</a>).<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This collection of quotations by Benedictine monk John Main (1926-1982) has 365 daily readings and 395 pages of his teaching from talks given at the Benedictine monastery in Montreal, Canada. These readings reinforce the great inspiration which John Main's taped talks and books have given to so many people around the world seeking a contemplative spiritual path in the 21st century.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In a forward to the book Laurence Freeman comments: " In John Main's vision meditation opens an authentic spirituality for a wide range of people today. This book of his teaching on the spiritual path will help many meditators to stablize and deepen their daily practice in the two periods of silence, stillness and simplicity which John Main recommended. Each morning and evening these daily readings offer the gentle encouragement and wise inspiration which everyone who has set out on the pilgrimage needs in order to persevere and to discover the fruits of meditation in their ordinary daily life. Many meditators will be grateful to Paul Harris for the loving work he has put into selecting these readings".</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This book is suggested reading for newcomers to meditation as well as practising meditators. In John Main they will find a spiritual guide and teacher who leads them into the daily discipline of the contemplative journey of prayer. This is bedside reading for those interested in the meditative spiritual path.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Teaching Christian Meditation to Students | E-Newsletter</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/Enewsletter.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">PDF document <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/Enewsletter0801.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>here</b></a>.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>FOR iTUNES USERS!</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><img align="left" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/itunes1.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">We have 10 sets of Christian meditation podcasts listed on iTunes. If you already have the iTunes software installed on your computer you may subscribe to the podcasts directly by using the links <a href="http://wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=itunespodcasts&amp;pagestyle=default" target="_BLANK"><b>here</b></a>. When you subscribe, you may also "Tell a Friend" by clicking on the appropriate link. Alternately, iTunes users can subscribe to them by following the usual path at the iTunes store &gt; podcasts &gt; power search &gt; description &gt; Christian meditation -- and then choosing the series they want to subscribe to. While subscriptions are without cost, each title description encourages subscribers to make a contribution to the WCCM to support its work and tells how to get other meditation resources at our online Book Store.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong><font color="#CC0000">Special John Main Anniversary Web Page</font></strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/Anniversary135.jpg" />The WCCM web home has been hosting a variety of special contributions to this John Main 25th anniversary page as we celebrated this landmark year for our Community. On the page you will find a "Welcome Message" from Father Laurence, photos, biographies, audio clips &amp; podcasts by John Main and Father Laurence, PDF files of John Main's "Monastic Teaching", book announcements, a complete John Main bibliography, music by Margaret Rizza based on John Main's writings, memories of Father John from meditators around the world and more. Visitors are invited to contribute to the page. Other features will be added throughout the year, so please come back again. Click <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=jmanniversary&amp;pagestyle=default">here</a>.</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Westminster Cathedral | Memorial Celebration of John Main's Life &amp; Spiritual Legacy</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/JMmass185.jpg" />December 29, 2007<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Download a PDF file of this special Eucharistic memorial celebration held at Westminster Cathedral, December 29, 2007 <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/JMAnniversaryMasssml.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>here</b></a>.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Laurence Freeman's Homily: <a href="http://wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=LFWestminsterHomily&amp;pagestyle=default" target="_BLANK">JOHN MAIN MEMORIAL EUCHARIST | Westminster Cathedral; December 29, 2007</a></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Letters from the International School</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />Welcome to this series of 'Letters from the International School'. The aim of these letters - as it is of the 'School' of the World Community for Christian Meditation in general - is to support and nurture all meditators, but especially those of you who feel called to share the precious gift of meditation with others. These letters will cover therefore the essential teaching of our Community. To read more, please click <a href="http://www.schoolforteachers.org/resources.html" target="_BLANK">here</a>. </td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Lectio Divina Online</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />In this exciting feature, every week a new passage will be posted that can be used for 'Lectio Divina'.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">You may click on <a href="http://www.schoolforteachers.org/resources.html" target="_BLANK">this page</a> to read an introduction to the practice of Lectio Divina. Instructions for the use of these passages in a group setting are also available, as is the list of Lectio Divina for 2006. </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Prayer Service to Celebrate John Main's Life &amp; Teaching</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/JMQld135.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Download this <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/JMBookletQld.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>PDF prayer service</b></a> by Sr. Kathleen Bolger celebrating the life and teaching of Dom John Main, OSB. </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>London Christian Meditation Centre | Schedule</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/lfrwuk.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Download and Print the PDF schedule for daily, weekly and monthly meditation events and services <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/London_Christian_Meditation_Centre_2007.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>here</b></a>.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Download and Print the latest UK Newsletter [PDF] <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/UKNL304.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>here</b></a>.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Podcasts Online</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/news/essentials0270.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">"Essentials of Christian Meditation" -<a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=211749434" target="_BLANK">Subscribe</a> to this series of podcasts at iTunes. Talks by Father Laurence given at retreats around the world. Choose from the complete series by using the iTunes link in the left-hand menu. </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong><font color="#CC0000">Online Directory of Meditation Groups Worldwide</font></strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/Doveslinesm.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/DirectoryInternetAug07.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>Directory of Meditation Groups Worldwide [PDF]</b></a></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong><font color="#CC0000">Monastery Without Walls | The Spiritual Letters of John Main</font></strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/Walls135.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The Benedictine monk John Main was one of the most profoundly influential spiritual teachers of our age. His belief that the desert tradition of meditative prayer practised by the earliest monastic communities had an immediate and contemporary relevance gave rise to the vision of a totally new kind of community, one made up of men and women scattered throughout the world yet united in their daily practice of Christian meditation.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">To this fledgling family -- which today has grown to over 100,000 members in over 100 countries -- John Main wrote a series of intimate letters notable for their deep coherence and simplicity. Tradition and personal experience, church and society, meditation and prayer are the themes that weave in and out of these letters, but their centre is a sense of the presence of Christ permeating every dimension of living -- solitary and relational.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i>Monastery Without Walls</i> is a complete and annotated edition of all of John Main's letters which together constitute a volume of remarkable spiritual wisdon and insight, as fresh and relevant as when they were first written.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>To order, please use the Bookstore link at the left.</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong><font color="#CC0000">25 Years Later: John Main's Legacy | 25 Activities</font></strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/F016135.jpg" />The Christian Meditation Community has put together a list of 25 activities to help individual meditators and meditation groups commemorate the 25th anniversary of John Main's death. Printer-friendly version <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/htm/25activities.htm" target="_BLANK"><b>here</b></a>.</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong><font color="#CC0000">Latest Newsletter Online</font></strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />Until you receive your beautiful printed copy of the <b>March 2006</b> issue of the<b>International Newsletter</b>, you may read it and download it using the "Newsletter" link from the "World Community" link in the menu at the left. Use the "Home" page link to contact your nearest distributor to ask to be added to the WCCM postal mailing list.</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong><font color="#FF0000">"Lectio Divina" Online</font></strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />Thanks to Sr Barbara Hazzard OSB and School Webmaster, Dr Shanida Nataraja, there will be a weekly passage for 'Lectio Divina' related to the liturgical calendar on the <b>'Resources'</b> page of the WCCM's 'School' Web site. There is also an introductory article explaining the ancient discipline of 'Lectio Divina' and instructions both for individual use and group use. <b>Click on the "School" link in the left-hand menu here.</b></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>JOHN MAIN CENTER at Georgetown University</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/doves05.jpg" /><font color="#FF0000"><b>JOHN MAIN<br />
CENTER FOR MEDITATION AND INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE<br />
at<br />
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY</b></font><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">You are warmly invited to the Meditation Center for any of the following events this weekend<br /><b>FRIDAY</b><br />
6pm Shabbat service with meditation<br /><b>SATURDAY</b><br />
6pm Contemplative Mass with meditation<br /><b>SUNDAY</b><br />
11 am meditation followed by conversation with<br /><b>Father Laurence Freeman OSB</b><br />
Director of the John Main Center<br /><b>Tel: 202 333 4022 Email: <a href="mailto:meditationcenter@georgetown.edu" target="_BLANK">meditationcenter@georgetown.edu</a></b><br />
Address: 3631 Prospect Street, Georgetown</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">You are also invited to join in any of the daily meditations at the Center<br />
Monday- Thursday 9 am and 9 pm<br />
Friday 9 am and 6 pm<br />
Saturday –Sunday 11 am and 6 pm</p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Schools for Meditators Worlwide</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/KimNataraja80.jpg" />International Schools Coordinator, <b>Kim Nataraja</b>, has written two articles which meditators around the world will find helpful for either planning or attending a school. Read them or print them out here:<br /><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/SharingtheGift.htm" target="_BLANK"><b>"How We Share the Gift of Meditation"</b></a> and <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/Surely.htm" target="_BLANK"><b>"Is the School for me?"</b></a><br />
Learn more about <b>The School</b> by using the link in the left-hand menu.</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>LIKE A CHILD: Christian Meditation in the Schools</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><img align="left" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/LAC100.jpg" />“Children are born contemplatives and so contemplation is not only the goal of the Christian life but in a sense its starting point too,” Fr Laurence Freeman has written in a foreword to the <i>Like A Child</i>series of books I have written as a program for teaching Christian meditation to children in primary schools.<br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>Read the complete text <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=child0505&amp;pagestyle=default">here</a>.</b></p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Article on Contemplative Liturgy:</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/lf1.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b><a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/TheEucharistandSilence.htm">"The Eucharist and Silence" by Laurence Freeman OSB</a>.</b></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Print this inspiring article and use it for your personal reading and reflection.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Share it with those who plan liturgies in your community. </p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>John Main's Legacy....</strong><br /><img align="left" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images//News/JM5.jpg" />Thirty years ago, in 1975, John Main began the first meditation groups at his monastery in London and, later, in Montreal. These<b><a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=jmslides1&amp;pagestyle=default">memorial pages</a></b> celebrate his unique place in the living tradition of contemplative prayer in the church. View an online slideshow to learn more about his life, read informative articles to appreciate better his influence on countless meditators around the world today. Listen to audio clips of John Main speaking about the practice and tradition of Christian meditation. (Group leaders are invited to submit their own reflections to be posted on the special pages.)
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>"Q &amp; A" - Your Questions Answered</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" />In memory of Sr. Eileen O'Hea, we are initiating a "Q&amp;A" service for our Web visitors. If you have a question about the practice or tradition of Christian meditation, you may submit it <a href="http://www.wccm.org/qandalist.asp?pagestyle=qandalist">here</a>. Please browse our "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ's link at the left) first to avoid repetition. Be sure to include your name, city and country.</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>MEDITATION GROUPS WORLDWIDE</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/News/kathyandmike270.jpg" />Traveling? New to meditation? Want to know who your neighbouring groups are? In addition to online assistance, an up-to-date Directory containing the contact details of Christian Meditation Groups Worldwide is now published in PDF format every 3 months. It is held by the International Office and National Coordinators who can help you to find meditation groups in 32 countries. For example, Kathy and Mike Moignard (photo), who discovered Christian meditation in Singapore and now live in Delhi, say that if anyone is interested in meditating with others to contact <a href="mailto:mmoignard@hotmail.com" target="_BLANK">Kathy</a>at <a href="mailto:mmoignard@hotmail.com">mmoignard@hotmail.com</a> or phone 5139 9900 ext. 226.<br />
For other informartion about groups contact <a href="mailto:janegrafton@pacific.net.sg" target="_BLANK">Jane Grafton</a>. </td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>"Weekly Readings" by E-mail</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Each week, to assist you with your daily meditation practice, we publish "Weekly Readings" which you can find on our Web pages (choose from the left-hand menu) or get sent to your own E-mail address. Subscribe <a href="http://mediomedia.org/item.asp?recordid=newsletter&amp;pagestyle=default" target="BLANK">here</a>.</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </p>
<hr /></td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; "><strong>Listen to John Main Online!</strong><br /><img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/JMcolorsmall.jpg" /><br /><p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>"The Way of Meditation"</b> - You may listen to an online streaming audio clip of John Main speaking on the simplicity of the practice of daily meditation. From our main menu, select the "About Us" link, then click on the John Main link. Scroll down the page to choose from among several selections. After any of the talks, to prepare for your meditation and put aside all the words you have been listening to, you may listen to a brief excerpt from a musical composition by Margaret Rizza. (All John Main &amp; Margaret Rizza tapes and CD's are available at our Bookstore.)</p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12.5px/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>10 sets of podcasts available, including John Main's COMMUNITAS SERIES: Use the iTunes podcast link in the left-hand menu.</b></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td style="background-repeat: no-repeat repeat; ">
<img align="right" hspace="6" src="http://www.wccm.org/images/spacer.gif" /><b>Please send news, announcements and photos to the News Editor <a href="mailto:gjryan@optonline.net" target="_BLANK">here</a></b>.</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.org/newslist.asp?pagestyle=newsarchive&amp;sqltype=archive">Read previous news items</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/category/news">News</a></div></div></div>Sun, 15 Aug 2010 00:49:41 +0000admin10 at http://www.wccm.orgJohn Main OSBhttp://www.wccm.org/content/john-main-osb
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">After you've read this page, learn more about John Main </span><b><a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=jmslides1&amp;pagestyle=default"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">here</span></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">. Also use the left-hand menu to visit the special </span><a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=jmanniversary&amp;pagestyle=default"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"John Main Anniversary"</span></a></b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><b> page.</b></span></p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/fatherjohn.gif" style="margin: 3px 15px 15px 3px; float: left; width: 216px; height: 320px;" /></span></p>
<p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>John Main OSB (1926-1982)</b> believed that the contemplative experience creates community. His genius was to recover and to re-present a way into this experience for ordinary people from within the Christian contemplative tradition. In the teaching of the desert monks on pure prayer he found the practice of the mantra. Realising that this way of prayer could further the search of many modern people for a deeper spiritual life, he recommended two regular daily periods of meditation to be integrated with the usual practices of Christian life. (Read John Main's <b>"Opening Prayer"</b> with an introduction and commentary by Laurence Freeman <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=openingprayer&amp;pagestyle=default">here</a>.)</b></span></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>A Way of Compassion</b><br />
It has become more and more evident in recent years that meditation, as a way of tolerance and compassion, builds a bridge of the spirit between peoples of different faiths, between rich and poor, and between all those suffering conflict or division. The great social and psychological distresses of modern society call for a deep contemplative response. John Main believed that each human being, whatever their lifestyle, is called to this contemplative depth.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>The Meditation Group</b><br />
It is a sign of this vision that meditation groups continue to form around the world. They meet weekly and support each person's own daily commitment to the inner pilgrimage. These groups often make use of the collection of John Main's talks recorded during his teaching of similar groups. Each group is linked in a common spirit to the wider community.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Most meditation groups today are led by lay people. In this renewal of a Christian tradition of prayer there is also great potential for Christians of all denominations to meet in common faith. Indeed, people of all religions can meet in their common humanity by meditating together.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Thirty years ago, in 1975, John Main began the first meditation groups at his monastery in London and, later, in Montreal. Visit these special <b><a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=jmslides1&amp;pagestyle=default">memorial pages</a></b> celebrating his unique place in the living tradition of contemplative prayer in the church. <b><a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=jmslides1&amp;pagestyle=default">View an online slideshow</a></b> to learn more about his life, read informative articles to appreciate better his influence on countless meditators around the world today. Listen to audio clips of John Main speaking about the practice and tradition of Christian meditation. (Group leaders are invited to submit their own reflections to be posted on the special pages.)</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>The World Community for Christian Meditation</b><br />
Meditators at the <a href="http://www.wccm.org/jmsdatelist.asp?pagestyle=jmsdatelist">John Main Seminar </a>held at New Harmony, Indiana in 1991 gave the community a new form in The World Community for Christian Meditation. It has now spread through a hundred countries. Individuals, groups and centres share the vision of peace and unity arising from meditation. Groups meet in homes, parishes, offices, hospitals, prisons and colleges. A network of Christian Meditation Centres helps to serve this community and its teaching work. Dialogue with other faiths has arisen from this deepening of Christian spirituality in the lives of men and women in all walks of life. The link with the Benedictine monastic family is especially valued.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>Read <a href="http://www.wccm.org/images/PDF/2010/P%20Schofield.pdf" target="_BLANK"><b>"John Main's Anniversary in Montreal"</b></a> [PDF] by Polly Schofield.</b></b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><font color="#ff0000"><b>John Main Seminar Directory</b></font><br />
Find a complete list of Seminar presenters <a href="http://www.wccm.org/jmsdatelist.asp?pagestyle=jmsdatelist"><b>here</b></a>.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>A <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=newsletter&amp;pagestyle=default">Quarterly Newsletter</a> with a spiritual letter and news is distributed worldwide.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/JMcolorsmall.jpg" style="margin: 3px 10px 10px 3px; float: left; width: 90px; height: 133px;" /></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>The John Main Seminar is held annually. Presenters have included Rowan Williams, Bede Griffiths, Jean Vanier, William Johnston, the Dalai Lama and Mary McAleese.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>The International Centre in London serves the worldwide community and is happy to receive any queries or information.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>Friends of the World Community</b><br />
In order to support the work of teaching Christian Meditation, the International Centre in London relies on donations. "Friends" from around the world donate U.S.$100 or £50 a year or equivalent currency, directly to the Centre.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p>
<blockquote><p><b><b>"There is no part-time or partial prayer, as if the Spirit were not always alive in our heart. But there are times, our twice-daily meditation, when we make a complete turn of consciousness towards this ever-present reality. There comes a level of awakening when our awareness of this reality is constant, throughout our most diverse activities and concerns." John Main</b></b></p></blockquote>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><font size="2">NEW PUBLICATION | Monastery Without Walls: The Spiritual Letters of John Main</font></b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Walls135.jpg" style="margin: 3px 10px 10px 3px; float: left; width: 134px; height: 206px;" /></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>The Benedictine monk John Main was one of the most profoundly influential spiritual teachers of our age. His belief that the desert tradition of meditative prayer practised by the earliest monastic communities had an immediate and contemporary relevance gave rise to the vision of a totally new kind of community, one made up of men and women scattered throughout the world yet united in their daily practice of Christian meditation.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>To this fledgling family -- which today has grown to over 100,000 members in over 100 countries -- John Main wrote a series of intimate letters notable for their deep coherence and simplicity. Tradition and personal experience, church and society, meditation and prayer are the themes that weave in and out of these letters, but their centre is a sense of the presence of Christ permeating every dimension of living -- solitary and relational.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><i>Monastery Without Walls</i> is a complete and annotated edition of all of John Main's letters which together constitute a volume of remarkable spiritual wisdon and insight, as fresh and relevant as when they were first written.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>To order, please use the Bookstore link at the left.</b></b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>"To communicate and nurture meditation as passed on through the teaching of John Main in the Christian tradition, in the spirit of serving the unity of all."<br />
~ The Mission Statement of the World Community</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><b>Browse John Main Books &amp; Tapes</b> using the BOOKSTORE link at the left.</b></p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p>
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Read about <a href="http://www.wccm.org/item.asp?recordid=freeman&amp;pagestyle=default"><b>Dom Laurence Freeman OSB,</b></a> Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation.</b></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/category/john-main">John Main</a></div></div></div>Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:49:11 +0000admin8 at http://www.wccm.orgAbout The World Community for Christian Meditationhttp://www.wccm.org/content/about-world-community-christian-meditation
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><!-- Tabs
================================================== --><div>
<!-- Headline --><!-- Tabs Navigation --><ul class="tabs-nav"><li class="active"><a href="#tab1">The Community</a></li>
<li><a href="#tab2">International Office</a></li>
<li><a href="#tab3">The WCCM Logo</a></li>
</ul><div class="tabs-container">
<div class="tab-content" id="tab1">
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/General_Images/Community.jpg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; height: 189px; width: 250px;" /></p>
<h3>THE WORLD COMMUNITY</h3>
<h3>FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="dropcap">T</span>he roots of the Community lie in the desert tradition of early Christianity. In 1975 John Main started the first Christian Meditation Centre in London where the first of many weekly meditation groups began to meet. In 1991 the John Main Seminar was held in the old Utopian town of New Harmony, Indiana. It was led by Bede Griffiths and was the basis of his book The New Creation in Christ: Meditation and Community.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Meditators from many parts of the world came together on this occasion to discuss the future of the community that had been forming for many years already as a ‘monastery without walls’. They named it The World Community for Christian Meditation. The symbol of the Community is an ancient image that represents the union of the contemplative and active dimensions of life.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It is now growing through 100+ countries. Individuals, weekly groups and centres share the vision of peace and new consciousness that are the spiritual fruits of meditation. Groups meet in homes, parishes, offices, hospitals, prisons and colleges. A number of Christian Meditation Centres, such as that at Georgetown University, helps to share the teaching. Dialogue with other faiths has arisen from this deepening of Christian. The link with the Benedictine monastic family is especially valued and an Oblate Community grows within the larger community of meditators.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/General_Images/IMG_0590.jpeg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; height: 188px; width: 250px;" />In recent years, initiatives have led to the teaching of Christian meditation to children, as an Eleventh Step practice, and has led to a deeper spiritual understanding among those in the business and financial worlds, those working for peace and justice, clergy of all denominations and the sick and dying.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On the eve of its 20th anniversary, the Community opened its Meditatio program, revised its governance structure and undertook a development of its outreach in crucial areas of social concern, technology and the training of young meditators for the next generation of leadership.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Meditatio centre in London will coordinate a series of seminars as well as the development of our Internet presence and media. Training programs will be created to share the insights of these seminars with national coordinators and group leaders in the different regions of the community. What is learned at the global level will thus be shared at the local level. Meditatio will also help in the formation of young meditators who come from different parts of the world as interns or as part of the "Oblate year" formation program.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Medio Media, the publishing company of the Community, produces and distributes books, CD’s and DVD’s. Many countries have <a href="http://www.wccmtest.org/national_communities">national WCCM websites</a> and there are special sites for those working with meditation with children, prisoners, peace and justice and those in recovery.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">The </span><strong style="line-height: 1.538em;">Mission Statement</strong><span style="line-height: 1.538em;"> of the Community was agreed at the John Main Seminar at New Harmony Indiana in 1991 and forms part of the WCCM Constitution accepted by all national communities: <em>To communicate and nurture meditation as passed on through the teaching of John Main in the Christian tradition in the spirit of serving the unity of all</em>.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="tab-content" id="tab2">
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/IOTeam02sm.jpg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" />The International Office in London serves as a support and information hub for the world-wide community as well as a link between the Community and many other organizations and groups. A small core team and a wider group of volunteers run the centre and assume its responsibilities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The team, all regular meditators, have been brought together by our common goal and belief in John Main's mission. We cover many areas and functions: supporting Fr Laurence, his travels, diary and logistics; providing support to the Trustees, the Guiding Board, national coordinators and countries worldwide; disseminating information, producing the International Newsletter; assisting Medio Media, the publishing arm of the World Community; fundraising, organising international retreats, pilgrimages and giving guidance for the annual John Main Seminar - the list is endless.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Our primary aim is to serve the worldwide community of meditators. A recent initiative has been to allocate a specific team member to each country, thereby providing a more personal approach. The International Centre is entirely dependent on financial support from the World Community, including a growing number of Friends who make its continued work more assured.</p>
<div class="large-notice">
<h3>The World Community for Christian Meditation</h3>
<p>Meditatio House: 32 Hamilton Road London W5 2EH UK
</p><p>International Office: +44 0207 278 2070 UK Office: + 44 (0) 8570 4466 Fax + 44 (0) 8280 0046</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:welcome@wccm.org">welcome@wccm.org</a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="/national_communities" target="_self">Information Centres &amp; Email Contacts Worldwide</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/Groups/Internet%20Dir_Jan2014.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Directory of Meditation Groups Worldwide [PDF]</b></a></p>
</div>
<div class="tab-content" id="tab3">
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.wccm.org/sites/default/files/users/General_Images/Doves08.jpg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="highlight gray">In the Logo of the World Community for Christian Meditation</span> the evocative image of a pair of doves perched on the rim of a chalice-shapeddish, as adopted by the World Community for its logo, is heir to an ancient pictorial andsymbolic tradition, that was disseminated through the Byzantine and. early-Christianchannels via bas-relief, pottery, textile and mosaic.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There are surviving representations of this theme form Greek as well as Romantimes, but its ultimate origin is probably Phoenician, connected with the cult and worshipof Astarte. The famous mosaic of four drinking doves form the Emperor Hadrian's Villa,built after 124 at Tivoli, near Rome, was probably the model for the less sophisticatedrepresentation found in one of the early Christian churches of Ravenna, the tomb of GallaPlacidia which served as inspiration for the logo.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The ultimate origin of the image is one by Sosus of Pergamum made at Delos inthe last centuries before the birth of Christ. It was much acclaimed, celebrated and copiedthroughout the ancient world. The Roman historian, Pliny, admired and wrote about it. Ahellenistic representation, this mosaic displays extraordinary skill and technical ability inits execution and the pictorial representation of a variety of difficult surfaces and textures,such as polished metal with diffused highlights and hard, detailed contours, soft feathersand a slab of marble on which the vessel stands. It is achieved by intricate laying ofminute glass and stone tesserae that denies the medium. There is an excellent copy of thiswork in the Palatine Museum, Rome.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The iconographic conjunction of water aIld doves, represents a complex, sacred,and very ancient pre- Christian funerary symbolic tradition that has been embraced by,and survived within the Christian Church, with representations of the type found in thedecorative programmes of baptisteries and martyria.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The symbolism here is as profound as it is archetypal. It is a trans-culturalmetaphor for the universally sacred, that can be apprehended not through empiricalinformation, but through personal experience. Symbols by nature are energy releasingand directing signs, sacraments of an inner reality -one we all share. A poetic reading,therefore is appropriate to the character and function of a symbol, which is of no value asa fact, but only as an awakener of the soul.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">An emblem of universal matrix, water always illustrates the mystical symbolismof the cycle of death- birth -regeneration; i.e. Purification. Informed by its ritualfunction, this archetype, always denotes fecundity and resurrection. Traditionally, it is thefemale principle in nature, connected to the phases of the moon and life-giving waters. Infunerary symbolism it served to reflect hope of immortality.<strong><sup>i</sup></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In Roman funerary monuments the deceased is often shown as a woman,identified with Aphrodite Urania (heavenly, of the spirit), as she is represented upon thesarcophagus, with her special bird, the dove. By thus identifying with the archetype oflife in perpetual renewal, the deceased is ensuring his/her resurrection. Therefore, one cansay that the drinking doves of the logo are iconographically akin to the veneration of themother goddess of pre-Christian religions, having survived within Christianity via Greekand Roman pictorial representations and the writings of the neo-Platonists.</p>
<blockquote><p>'...for it is she we know to be planted deep in our fabric, she it is by whom men are impelled to have thoughts of love and perform works of peace...' (Lucretius)</p></blockquote>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">and again</span></p>
<blockquote><p>'You alone can give men the serene benefits of peace' (Lucretius)</p></blockquote>
<p>This is Aphrodite, the sacred feminine principle (one of her sacred shrines was atDelos, decorated by drinking doves of Sosus') not he debased vulgarised Venus of eroticlove most of us are familiar with.
</p><p>'Such numinous symbols of our inheritance of myth as these', Joseph Campbellsays, 'become integrated within the Christian Church -images of transformation openingoutward to combine with their non- Christian, pagan, oriental counterparts and therebybecome transformed into non-sectarian, psychologically significant symbols, revealing asacred timeless event going on within man/woman always' <sup><strong>ii</strong></sup> Carl Jung, in his Symbols ofTransformation credits the Logos for filling our understanding and desires with meaning</p>
<blockquote><p>'.....makes it drunken as if with nectar'.</p></blockquote>
<p>Nectar, in classical literature, is the drink offertility and immortality. The soul thus fructified is called the Heavenly Aphrodite(Urania). Yet, it knows the pangs of birth,…..as earthly Aphrodite (Pandemos). It is notwithout reason that the dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit <strong>iii</strong>.
</p><p>In popular mythology, winged creatures represent spiritual messengers or simply,the Spirit itself, as in angels, the myth of Eros and Psyche (love and the human spirit).The dove of love and peace is also the symbol of the soul in India. In China, it stood formarital fidelity and long life. Usually represented in pairs - male and female - theyappear in the headdress of the goddess of fertility. In medieval alchemy the white doverepresents the whitening of the primal matter as it is turned into the philosopher's stone -the transformation of the black raven into the white dove.</p>
<p>In Christian art, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are often seen as doves, perching on atree or drinking the waters of Eternal life.Thus, we see them in our logo -a pair of doves -one drinking, the other happilystanding by -on the rim of a chalice-shaped vessel filled with water. The chalice is areference to Christ's sacrifice -as in the Eucharist, and, by the same token, offering ushope of eternal life, an assurance of the Resurrection.</p>
<p>This simple and beautiful representation - the logo of The World Community forChristian Meditation - enfolds a meaning that is both universal and most profoundlyChristian - one held sacred through the ages, offering a subjective glimpse into whatultimately is a numinous, transpersonal symbol. A metaphor pointing to a transcendentalreality.</p>
<p><strong>Polly Schofield - Montreal Oblate and WCCM Archivist</strong></p>
<p><strong>i</strong> Eliade, Mircea. Images and Symbols. Princeton, 1991, p.131-132</p>
<p><strong>ii</strong> Campbell, Joseph. Creative Mythology -The Masks of God. Penguin 1968, p.453</p>
<p><strong>iii</strong> Jung, C. G. Symbols of Transformation. Bollinger, 1976, p.138</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:49:00 +0000admin7 at http://www.wccm.orghttp://www.wccm.org/content/about-world-community-christian-meditation#comments29.535230 18.984375Laurence Freeman OSBhttp://www.wccm.org/content/laurence-freeman-osb
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><!-- Tabs
================================================== --><div>
<!-- Headline --><!-- Tabs Navigation --><ul class="tabs-nav"><li class="active"><a href="#tab1">Laurence Freeman OSB</a></li>
<li><a href="#tab2">Talks and Interviews</a></li>
</ul><div class="tabs-container">
<div class="tab-content" id="tab1">
<p style="font: 12.5px 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/Laurence-20Freeman-20landscape.jpg" style="border-top-left-radius: 7px 7px; border-top-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-right-radius: 7px 7px; border-bottom-left-radius: 7px 7px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; width: 220px; height: 147px; " /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span class="dropcap">L</span><strong>aurence Freeman </strong>is a monk of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto Maggiore and Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation. Fr Laurence was born in England in 1951 where he was educated by the Benedictines and studied English Literature at Oxford University.</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; " xml:lang="en-GB">Before entering monastic life he had experience with the United Nations, banking and journalism. In the monastery his spiritual teacher was John Main with whom he studied and whom he helped in the establishment of the first Christian Meditation Centre in London.</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; " xml:lang="en-GB"> </p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; " xml:lang="en-GB">In 1977, he went with John Main at the invitation of the Archbishop of Montreal to establish a Benedictine community of monks and laypeople dedicated to the practice and teaching of Christian meditation. Fr Laurence studied theology at the Universite de Montreal and at McGill University, made his solemn monastic profession in 1979 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1980.</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; " xml:lang="en-GB"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; "><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB">After the death of John Main in 1982, he continued the work of teaching meditation that had now begun to develop a global community. In 1991, Fr Laurence returned to England to establish the International Centre of the newly formed World Community for Christian Meditation that is now present in more than a hundred countries. </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; "> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; "><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB">He has conducted dialogues and peace initiatives such as the historic "Way of Peace" with the Dalai Lama and is active in inter-religious dialogue with other faiths as well as in encouraging the teaching of Christian meditation to children and students and in the re-appropriation of the contemplative wisdom tradition in the Church and society at large. He is the Director of the WCCM Benedictine Oblate Community.</span><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB"> In 2010 he launched the MEDITATIO </span><span lang="en-GB" xml:lang="en-GB">outreach programme of the Community to mark the celebration of its twentieth anniversary.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: justify; "><b>Laurence Freeman is the author of many books and articles including "Light Within", "Selfless Self", "Web of Silence", "Common Ground", "A Short Span of Days", "Your Daily Practice", "Jesus: The Teacher Within" and "First Sight: the Experience of Faith". He is also the editor of John Main’s works and a member of the Board of Medio Media, the publishing arm of the World Community.</b></p>
</div>
<div class="tab-content" id="tab2">
<ul class="plus-list"><li><a href="http://www.wccmtest.org/sites/default/files/users/LaurencePage/Confronti%20Interview%20of%20Laurence%20Freeman%20OSB%20with%20Confronti.pdf" target="_blank">Interview with Confronti Magazine (Italy) September 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/NNqIKaAfKIQ" target="_blank">Knowledge is love - talk at Googleplex (January 2012)</a></li>
<li><a href="/Leonardo/Laurence%20Freeman%20-%20FT.pdf" target="_blank">Financial Times interview (December 2011)</a></li>
<li><a href="/sites/default/files/users/LaurencePage/Eucharist%20and%20Silence.doc" target="_blank">Eucharist and Silence (DOC)</a></li>
<li><a href="/sites/default/files/users/LaurencePage/HOMILY%20BY%20LAURENCE%20FREEMAN-ARMAGH.doc" target="_blank">Homily by Laurence Freeman, Armagh</a></li>
<li><a href="/audio/venezuela_13052011.mp3" target="_blank">Talks in Venezuela: How Does Meditation Change Us?</a></li>
<li><a href="/audio/Laurence_houston_17052011.mp3" target="_blank">Talks in Houston, Texas, USA: Who is my Neighbour?</a></li>
<li><a href="/audio/Laurence_houston_1805201101.mp3" target="_blank">Talks in Houston, Texas, USA: The Nature of Forgiveness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/meditatiowccm?feature=mhum#p/c/ED92BD5E42247506/5/yH_MiQvlSB4" target="_blank">Laurence Freeman Interview at the World Parliament of Religions (video interview May 2010)</a></li>
<li><a href="/sites/default/files/users/PDF/WorldParliamentTalkMeditation.pdf" target="_blank">Fr Laurence’s Talk at The World Parliament of Religions Talk at Parliament of World Religions [PDF]</a></li>
<li><a href="/content/bosnia-interview-fr-laurence-freeman-osb" target="_blank">Interview in Bosnia with Fr. Laurence</a></li>
<li><a href="/sites/default/files/users/PDF/InterviewwithFrLaurence1009.pdf" target="_blank">Interview in Brazil with Laurence Freeman [PDF]</a></li>
<li><a href="/content/john-main-memorial-eucharist-westminster-cathedral" target="_blank">Fr Laurence Homily at the Memorial Service for the 25th Anniversary of John Main (Westminster Cathedral 1/12/2007)</a></li>
<li><a href="/sites/default/files/users/PDF/TheContemplativeOblateToday.pdf" target="_blank">Talk about Benedictine Oblation as a spirituality for today (The World Congress, Rome "The Contemplative Oblate Today) [PDF]</a></li>
<li><a href="/sites/default/files/users/PDF/Father%20Laurence%20Freeman.pdf" target="_blank">Article by Lee Slew Hua: Life of Purpose in monastery without walls [PDF]</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/category/category/laurence-freeman">Laurence Freeman</a></div></div></div>Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:42:00 +0000admin9 at http://www.wccm.orghttp://www.wccm.org/content/laurence-freeman-osb#commentsWelcome...http://www.wccm.org/content/welcome
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/users/General_Images/LastPhotoLarge copy_2.jpeg" style="margin: 0px 10px 5px 0px; float: left; width: 230px; height: 197px;" /></p>
<p><strong>Meditation</strong> is a universal wisdom found in all the spiritual traditions. We have found and teach it from within the Christian tradition, It shows how Christian faith is ecumenical, open to dialogue with other faiths and the secular world - and how it makes us ready for just and loving action.</p>
<p>On this site you will find a place to learn how to meditate and how to find support in the spiritual journey that follows - developing it as a spiritual practice that can change your life. There are natural physical and psychological benefits form meditation – and spiritual fruits that are more difficult to measure but lead to a deeper transformation of your life.</p>
<p>Learn here about meditation with children, with those in recovery, in prisons, at universities, in the workplace, in churches and small weekly groups. You can find a group meeting near you or meet with other meditators online. Become a member of the World Community and choose from the regular mailings that you feel will best support your practice. Get to the podcasts, online talks and the videos. Look through the Media Library of major events. Browse the online bookstore and learn about retreats and other events you might like to come to.</p>
<p>Welcome and we hope your visit will help you.</p>
<p>Laurence Freeman OSB</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/category/category/community">Community</a></div></div></div>Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:05:00 +0000admin2 at http://www.wccm.org